Bulls 106, Bobcats 94
Luol Deng led with 24 points and Derrick Rose collected 18 points and 13 assists as the Chicago Bulls took out the visiting Charlotte Bobcats, 106-94, on Tuesday.
Carlos Boozer added 16 points and nine rebounds for the Bulls, who have won three straight and have a chance to make a statement before the All-Star break when they host the NBA-best San Antonio Spurs on Thursday.
Stephen Jackson scored 20 points and Boris Diaw chipped in 18 for the Bobcats, who had their two-game winning streak snapped on the day they announced that the club was engaging interim coach Paul Silas in discussions for a contract extension.
Charlotte pulled to within five points at 80-75 when Gerald Henderson dunked with 11:30 left in the game. But Rose knocked down two free throws to spark an 8-0 run and put Chicago up by double digits.
Kyle Korver hit a pair of 3-pointers and scored eight points in the final 4:48 to keep the Bulls on top.