Bulls 97, Hornets 88
Derrick Rose led the way with 23 points and six assists as the Chicago Bulls dominated the fourth quarter en route to a 97-88 victory over the host New Orleans Hornets on Saturday.
Carlos Boozer collected 17 points and eight rebounds and Luol Deng scored 14 for the Bulls, who improved to 13-12 on the road overall and closed their five-game trip with a 3-2 mark.
The Hornets led, 76-72, after Jarrett Jack opened the fourth with a jumper, but Chicago went on an 8-4 spurt to take a two-point edge.
New Orleans tied it again on Marcus Thornton’s layup before C.J. Watson knocked down a 3-pointer at the 7:39 mark. The Bulls never trailed again, outscoring New Orleans 25-14 in the final 12 minutes.
It looked like the Hornets were in control in the first half, closing with an 11-0 run highlighted by back-to-back-to-back 3-pointers from Chris Paul and Thornton, to take a 53-42 edge at the break.
New Orleans, which has dropped five of its last six, was still without starting center Emeka Okafor due to an oblique strain and was outrebounded 47-26 by the Bulls.
Thornton finished with 24 points off the bench to pace the Hornets.