Bulls 92, Nets 76: Taj Gibson scored 16 points and Carlos Boozer returned from a three-game absence to collect 15 points and 10 rebounds as Chicago held off visiting Brooklyn.

Joakim Noah recorded 14 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists for the Bulls, who head into the All-Star break with three straight wins. Jimmy Butler and Mike Dunleavy each added 14 points for Chicago.

Paul Pierce scored 15 points to lead the Nets, who shot 38.8 percent from the field on the second night of a back-to-back set. Deron Williams added 13 points and Joe Johnson scored 11 for Brooklyn.

The Nets entered the fourth quarter trailing 69-61 but pulled within 75-72 on Andrei Kirilenko’s 3-pointer with 6:28 to play. D.J. Augustin responded with a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession to kick off a 9-0 burst over the next three minutes that put the game away.

The Bulls took a 29-19 lead after the first quarter and spread it out to 14 points early in the second before settling for a 49-41 lead at the break. Dunleavy scored the final three points of an 11-2 spurt through the middle of the third that kept Chicago in front after Brooklyn had pulled within three points.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Butler and Johnson needed to be separated in the third quarter and each drew a technical foul for the skirmish. … The Bulls built up a 45-27 advantage on the glass and recorded eight blocked shots. … Brooklyn (24-27) missed an opportunity to draw within a game of .500 for the first time since it was 2-3 on Nov. 8.