• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Noah, Bulls down Lakers

Feb 10, 2014 - 12:07 AM Los Angeles, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Joakim Noah had 20 points, 13 rebounds, three blocks and two steals in the Chicago Bulls' 92-86 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.

Taj Gibson tallied 18 points, six boards, two steals and two blocks for the Bulls, who went 3-3 on a six-game western road trip. Kirk Hinrich added 17 points and five assists.

Chris Kaman had a season-high 27 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks for the Lakers, who have lost five in a row at home. Jordan Hill and Kendall Marshall donated 15 and 13 points, respectively.

Los Angeles guard Steve Nash, playing his third game after missing 39 because of a nerve problem in his back, played just over 21 minutes before leaving in the third quarter because of irritation in his left leg.

"It just got me right on the nerve," Nash said. "It's just all part of the process. It's just a short little setback."

The Bulls jumped out to a 10-0 lead and never looked back. Gibson tallied 12 points in the first quarter to help the visitors build a 34-23 margin.

"Gibson set the tone for us early. We wanted to throw the first punch," Noah said.

But the Lakers went on a 12-0 run early in the second stanza. Kaman's jumper with 5:55 to go cut the gap to 42-39.

Chicago was able to weather the storm and took a 52-46 lead into the locker room.

The Bulls opened the second half on an 11-2 run to extend their margin to 63-48. Hinrich's 3-pointer with 3:29 left in the third frame made it 72-53.

Los Angeles responded with seven straight points and headed to the fourth down by 15, 77-62.

The Lakers made one final push in the fourth and got their deficit down to four, 88-84, on Wesley Johnson's slam with 48.9 seconds to play. After D.J. Augustin missed a jumper, Los Angeles guard Steve Blake turned the ball over.

Augustin went 4-of-4 from the foul line down the stretch to seal the victory.

Game Notes

Bulls forward Carlos Boozer (calf) missed his second straight game ... Noah has recorded at least 10 rebounds in 21 of his last 22 games ... The Lakers started a six-game homestand on Sunday ... The Bulls' starters outscored the Lakers starters 73-24.