Bulls 98, Wizards 88
Derrick Rose collected 35 points and eight assists as the Chicago Bulls bounced back with a 98-88 victory over the host Washington Wizards on Monday.
Carlos Boozer added 18 points and eight rebounds and Joakim Noah chipped in 14 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists for the Bulls, who were attempting to wipe away the bitter taste of a 97-93 loss in Miami on Sunday.
Rose, who missed two key free throws and a runner in the final seconds Sunday, rebounded by going 10 for 20 from the field and 14 for 15 from the free throw line against the Wizards. The reigning MVP has scored at least 34 points in each of the last three games.
Chicago had little trouble imposing its will on the Wizards in the first half, holding them to 32 percent shooting in the opening 24 minutes and cruising into the half with a 51-40 edge.
The Bulls increased the lead to 76-59 after the third quarter before Washington woke up. The Wizards used a 10-2 run to pull within single digits 86-78 with 6:50 remaining before Boozer scored four straight baskets during an 8-2 burst to put it away for Chicago.
John Wall recorded 20 points and six assists for Washington.