Bulls 99, Hornets 95
BULLS 99, HORNETS 95: Derrick Rose scored 13 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter as host Chicago held off upset-minded New Orleans.
Rose hit the go-ahead jumper with 19.4 seconds to play as the Bulls ended the game with an 8-0 run to extend their winning streak to three games. He also had nine assists.
Joakim Noah had 15 points and 16 rebounds - his sixth double-double in the last nine games - to help Chicago improve to 14-2 at home and beat the Hornets for the eighth consecutive time.
Chris Kaman had 17 points and 11 rebounds to lead six players in double figures for New Orleans, which went 3-3 on its six-game road trip.
The Bulls had seemingly taken control with a 11-1 run bridging the third and fourth quarters to take an 82-71 lead with 11:19 to play.
The Hornets stormed back by reeling off 13 straight points to go ahead 95-91 on Gustavo Ayon's jumper with 1:15 remaining, but they would not score again.
Two free throws by Rose, a tip-in by Noah and a 20-footer from the right corner by Rose put Chicago ahead to stay.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Bulls guard Richard Hamilton, who signed a three-year contract with the Bulls prior to the season, returned to the lineup after a 13-game absence. He had five points and five assists. Hamilton had been sidelined for 23 of the first 34 games and last played on Jan. 29. ... Kaman had four double-doubles in his last seven games. The Hornets were crushed at home by Chicago 90-67 on Feb. 8.