McDermott leads Bulls over Pacers
CHICAGO -- Doug McDermott scored 23 points off the bench and was one of six Chicago Bulls to reach double figures in a 118-101 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Saturday night at the United Center.
McDermott was 9 of 14 from the field and 5 of 6 from 3-point range to pace the Bulls (2-0), who had four of their five starters reach double figures. Jimmy Butler had 16 points for Chicago to go along with 14 by Dwyane Wade and 12 each by Robin Lopez and Taj Gibson.
The Bulls' fifth starter, Rajon Rondo, finished with 13 assists.
Paul George and Myles Turner each had 20 points for the Pacers (1-2), who also got 11 points apiece from Joe Young and Glenn Robinson III. Thaddeus Young also reached double figures for the Pacers with 10 points.
Chicago, which led by as many as 29 points, was effective from the perimeter. The Bulls connected on nine 3-point field goals, including five from McDermott and three from reserve guard Isaiah Canaan, who finished with 11 points.
The Bulls led 62-41 at halftime. Chicago used a 23-4 run midway through the second quarter to break the game open after leading by just four after the opening 12 minutes. The Bulls, paced by Butler's 12 first-half points and Rondo's 11 first-half assists, shot 56.5 percent from the field over the opening 24 minutes.
The Pacers, playing their second game in two nights, got their biggest offensive boost from George, who scored 14 points in the first half. But Indiana, which played without two injured guards – Rodney Stuckey and Aaron Brooks – showed signs of fatigue and could not match the Bulls' pace during the pivotal second-quarter run.
Indiana closed the gap in the fourth quarter, when the Pacers produced 34 points with most of the Bulls' starters on the bench.
NOTES: Pacers' G Rodney Stuckey (strained right hamstring) did not play Saturday and will undergo an MRI exam on Monday, coach Nate McMillen said. "We'll get a better idea of what's going on with him," McMillen said. Stuckey left Indiana's game against Brooklyn in the first quarter Friday night after crashing to the floor on a shot attempt. ... Pacers G Aaron Brooks (sore right knee) missed his second straight game. Brooks was a game-time decision and warmed up but was downgraded from questionable after meeting with team trainers before tip-off. ... Newly acquired Bulls G R.J. Hunter was inactive on Saturday night. G Jerian Grant, who had his third-year contract option exercised by Chicago on Friday was also inactive. ... Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said he is not yet certain whether any of his players will join the Bulls' NBA Development League franchise, which begins play this fall.