Bulls 89, Bobcats 87: D.J. Augustin scored a season-high 28 points to help visiting Chicago survive a sluggish affair.

Joakim Noah finished with 11 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists for the Bulls, who responded nicely following a 17-point home loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday. Taj Gibson scored 13 points off the bench and Mike Dunleavy had 12 points and eight rebounds as Chicago improved to 10-3 this month.

Al Jefferson paced Charlotte with 32 points and 13 rebounds. Jannero Pargo added 15 points in a reserve role and Gerald Henderson pitched in with 11.

Neither team led by more than four points in a tight first half that ended in a 39-39 tie. Jefferson led all scorers with 12 points before the break and produced 11 of Charlotte's 16 points in the third quarter as the Bobcats trailed 57-55 entering the fourth.

Tony Snell began the final period with a 3-pointer and Augustin added another moments later as the Bulls opened up a 67-57 advantage with under nine minutes remaining. The Bobcats sliced the deficit to 80-74 with less than two minutes left but Chicago hit nine free throws in the final 31.5 seconds to offset three 3-pointers in the final 7.7 seconds by Charlotte.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Noah has recorded at least 10 rebounds in 16 straight games. ... Jefferson was 15-for-26 from the floor, including the fifth 3-pointer of his career; his fellow starters were 14-for-44. ... The Bulls have won five straight meetings.