Chicago clamps down on Miami
MIAMI >> Derrick Rose was fouled on a fast break, staggered off the court and kept going out a tunnel.
He came back unhurt, but the Chicago Bulls hardly needed him.
Mike Dunleavy led a balanced attack with 22 points and the Bulls overcame a sloppy start Sunday to beat the offensively challenged Miami Heat, 93-75.
The Bulls had their lowest-scoring game since Nov. 21 and still won easily, building a 26-point lead in the second half. Dunleavy said the makeup of the team lends itself to scoring consistency.
"With what we have, there shouldn’t be many nights where we struggle offensively," he said. "If the outside shots aren’t going, we have many ways to get inside, and we can push the ball. We’ve got a lot of options."
Jimmy Butler had 17 points, Taj Gibson 15 and Rose 14 for the Central Division-leading Bulls. They improved to 11-3 on the road, best in the Eastern Conference.
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Miami leading scorer Chris Bosh (calf strain) missed a game for the first time this season, which left the Heat without enough punch or size to challenge Chicago. Miami shot a season-low 35 percent, including 4-for-22 from 3-point range.
"A guy like Chris is irreplaceable," said Dwyane Wade, who had 17 points for Miami. "All we ask for and hope for is he can get back as soon as he can when he’s healthy."
The Heat’s point total matched their season low.
Chicago pulled away in the third quarter thanks to Dunleavy. He was shut out in the first half but scored 19 points on eight shots in the third period, when Chicago outscored Miami 33-16.
Dunleavy finished 4-for-5 from 3-point range, while the Bulls shot nine of 18 beyond the arc and 47 overall.
The teams slogged through an ugly first half in their first matchup this season. The Bulls committed 13 turnovers but led 39-32 because Miami shot only 29 percent.
"It was your typical Sunday in Miami," Dunleavy said with a smile. "It seems like everybody had a big Saturday night."
LAKERS 100, TIMBERWOLVES 94
MINNEAPOLIS >> Carlos Boozer scored a season-high 22 points and had 13 rebounds off the bench to lead Los Angeles over Minnesota.
Shabazz Muhammad had 28 points and nine rebounds for the Timberwolves.
THUNDER 112, SUNS 88
OKLAHOMA CITY >> Russell Westbrook had 28 points, eight assists and eight rebounds, Kevin Durant added 23 points and eight rebounds and Oklahoma City won its sixth straight game.
Westbrook recorded his eighth straight game of scoring at least 20 points, and getting five rebounds and five assists since his return from a broken hand. By halftime, he had 24, five rebounds and six assists. He narrowly missed getting his ninth career triple-double.
WARRIORS 128, PELICANS 122 OT
NEW ORLEANS >> Stephen Curry scored eight of his 34 points in overtime and Golden State won its 16th straight by beating New Orleans.
Klay Thompson added 29 points for the Warriors, whose franchise-long winning streak includes a club-record 10 straight road victories.
WIZARDS 93, JAZZ 84
WASHINGTON >> John Wall had 16 points, eight assists and six rebounds, and Washington overcame a sluggish start to put away slumping Utah.
Wall also had five steals and three blocks, Bradley Beal scored 22 points, and Paul Pierce added 15 for the Wizards, who nearly succumbed to a letdown game after their big win over the Clippers on Friday night.
RAPTORS 95, KNICKS 90, OT
NEW YORK >> Kyle Lowry had 21 points and 11 assists, controlling the overtime period and leading Toronto over New York.
Lowry missed a jumper that would’ve won it to end regulation, but then had two baskets and an assist in overtime, accounting for more points than the Knicks managed as a team.
SPURS 99, NUGGETS 91
DENVER >> Kawhi Leonard scored 18 points and San Antonio beat Denver.
Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili added 15 points apiece for the Spurs, who bounced back from Friday’s loss to the Los Angeles Lakers despite the absence of Tony Parker, who was out with an injured hamstring.