Pacers 97, Bulls 92: David West scored 19 of his 31 points in the second half and Roy Hibbert collected 18 points and 10 rebounds as host Indiana held off short-handed Chicago.
George Hill scored 21 points and Paul George added 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Pacers, who have won seven of their last eight games.
Marco Bellinelli and Jimmy Butler scored 20 points apiece for the Bulls, who were without guards Kirk Hinrich (foot) and Richard Hamilton (back spasms) and forward Taj Gibson (knee).
The Pacers ran out to a 32-21 lead after one quarter and appeared poised to run away from the Bulls, who were playing the second game of a back-to-back after winning at Brooklyn on Saturday. But Chicago's unheralded reserves played well in the second quarter to keep it close, and Luol Deng pulled the Bulls even at 72 with a short jumper with 10:27 left.
Hill answered with a 15-footer and a long 3-pointer to put the Pacers ahead by five. Chicago drew even again at 80, but West scored four straight points to give Indiana the lead for good.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Injured Bulls G Derrick Rose did not dress but sat with the team on the bench for the first time since tearing his ACL on April 28. … Indiana F Danny Granger checked out with 6:26 left in the second quarter and did not return because of a sore left knee. He was scoreless in eight minutes. … The Pacers have won the first three meetings this season to claim the season series from the Bulls for the first time since 2003-04. The teams will meet once more, March 23 in Chicago.
Chicago | Indiana | |
Marco Belinelli 20 | Scoring | David West 31 |
Nate Robinson 6 | Assists | Paul George 6 |
Joakim Noah 10 | Rebounds | Paul George 10 |
Jimmy Butler 5 | Free Throws Made | David West 9 |
Jimmy Butler 2 | Steals | Paul George 2 |
Nazr Mohammed 2 | Blocks | Roy Hibbert 3 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
Chicago | 92 | 43.2 | 8-19 | 14-18 | 25 | 34 | 5 | 9 | 13 |
Indiana | 97 | 46.5 | 6-13 | 25-33 | 19 | 42 | 6 | 10 | 15 |