Derrick Rose scored 29 points, including a three-point play with 19 seconds left, as the Chicago Bulls rallied Wednesday for an 88-83 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, who suffered their sixth consecutive loss.
Rose’s basket and foul on a drive through the paint gave the Bulls an 85-83 lead. The Cavaliers had a chance to tie, but Mo Williams missed a fadeaway jumper and Daniel Gibson’s putback went halfway down before rattling out.
The Bulls sealed the win with free throws in the final seconds.
Williams had two turnovers in the final couple of possessions, got beaten by Rose on the game-winner and missed the potential game-tying shot.
Rose also had eight assists and Joakim Noah had 13 points and 14 rebounds for the first-place Bulls, who have won three straight games.
Cavs coach Byron Scott reshuffled the starting lineup after his team lost five straight games by an average of 22.2 points. He inserted Antawn Jamison and Gibson and removed Joey Graham and J.J. Hickson. The moves appeared to work, with the two new starters combining for 35 points and 14 rebounds.
But Cleveland's offense went flat over the final three minutes, totaling just three points.
Chicago | Cleveland | |
Derrick Rose 29 | Scoring | Antawn Jamison 21 |
Derrick Rose 8 | Assists | Mo Williams 10 |
Joakim Noah 14 | Rebounds | Anderson Varejao 12 |
Derrick Rose 4 | Free Throws Made | Daniel Gibson 4 |
Ronnie Brewer 6 | Steals | Daniel Gibson 2 |
Luol Deng 2 | Blocks | Jawad Williams 2 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
Chicago | 88 | 44.9 | 6-16 | 12-20 | 24 | 44 | 4 | 11 | 16 |
Cleveland | 83 | 38.3 | 10-30 | 11-18 | 22 | 43 | 5 | 8 | 16 |