Final
Bulls survive late rally to edge Pacers
Dec 30, 2014 - 6:11 AMVideo
Pau Gasol scored 20 points for Chicago, which nearly squandered a 21-point lead. Mike Dunleavy, who had a game-high 10 rebounds, made it 75-54 with his three-point play late in the third quarter, but a prolonged scoring drought and impressive resilience from the hosts led to the near comeback.
Chicago missed an unprecedented 17 straight shots following the Dunleavy three-point play. It didn't make a field goal until Gasol's turnaround jumper at 3:27 of the fourth.
Meanwhile, the Pacers scored 20 straight points to surge in front. Chris Copeland had 11 during the spurt, including a personal 7-0 run. Lavoy Allen's layup at 6:15 gave the Pacers a lead and Luis Scola's jumper made it 86-83.
Butler's 3 from the right wing with just over a minute to play restored Chicago's lead. Then, after two empty possessions both ways, the Pacers had a final look to win the game.
"I'm confident in my game and so are my teammates," Butler said. "I feel like I have to step up and take and make shots late."
Scola secured the rebound on Joakim Noah's missed tip with two seconds remaining. Pacers coach Frank Vogel immediately signaled for a timeout, but it wasn't rewarded until there were 0.5 seconds showing.
Despite that, Indiana got a great look at the basket. C.J. Watson broke free on the inbounds from near midcourt and set himself for a 3-point try from the baseline, but it missed short at the buzzer.
"The lesson to be learned is that you have to keep playing," said Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau. "No lead is safe in this league."
Copeland scored 13 of his team-high 17 points in the fourth quarter.
"Get stops and play quick," said Copeland. "We really dug in defensively, we moved the ball. Everybody stayed dangerous, and that led to the comeback."
Chicago trailed 17-16 late in the first quarter when Butler's layup sparked an 11-0 run that spanned two periods. Taj Gibson split a pair at the line at 9:47 of the second, giving the Bulls a 10-point advantage.
Indiana trimmed the margin back to four midway through the second, but Butler and Derrick Rose hit momentum-killing 3-pointers and Butler beat the halftime buzzer with a dunk, sending Chicago into halftime with a 47-35 lead.
Game Notes
The Bulls have won seven straight games ... Indiana's reserves outscored its starters, 48-42 ... Both teams shot 5-for-13 from behind the arc ... Rose scored 17 points on 5-for-20 shooting.
- End of the 4th Quarter
Dec 29 9:24 PM - CHICAGO: 81
INDIANA: 65
End of 3rd
Dec 29 8:47 PM - CHICAGO: 47
INDIANA: 35
Halftime
Dec 29 8:02 PM - CHICAGO: 22
INDIANA: 17
End of 1st
Dec 29 7:32 PM - CHICAGO: 0
INDIANA: 0
1st Quarter - 12:00
Dec 29 7:10 PM
Related News
- Toronto Raptors Reportedly Trade Pascal Siakam to Indiana Pacers Jan 17
- Has Giannis Lost His Likability? Dec 14
- Pacers Defeat Bucks, 128–119 To Advance to In-Season Championship Dec 8
- Lakers Eyeing Top Trade Targets From Bulls Nov 15
- Report: Bulls Concerned Lonzo Ball's Injury Could End His Playing Career May 29
- NBA Same Game Parlay Odds, Picks, & Predictions: Friday (4/14) Apr 14
- Heat vs. Bulls NBA Play-In Player Prop Bet Picks: Friday (4/14) Apr 13
- NBA Play-In Game Odds, Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (4/12) Apr 12
- NBA Play-In Game Player Prop Bet Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (4/12) Apr 12
- NBA PrizePicks Player Predictions: Wednesday (4/12) Apr 12
- Bulls vs. Raptors NBA Play-In Game Player Prop Bet Picks: Wednesday (4/12) Apr 12
- NBA Play-In Game First Basket Scorer Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (4/12) Apr 12