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Bucks 78, Bulls 74

CHICAGO - Forward John Henson scored 25 points, including a desperation 22-foot jumper as the shot clock expired, to help the Milwaukee Bucks secure a 78-74 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday at the United Center.

Henson also grabbed 14 rebounds. Guard Brandon Knight contributed 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Bucks, who won for the third straight time in Chicago.

The Bulls were led by forward Mike Dunleavy with 24 points, while forward Carlos Boozer finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Dunleavy spent the previous two seasons with Milwaukee before joining the Bulls as a free agent last summer.

Both teams were missing a number of regulars. For the Bulls, Boozer was the only opening-night starter in the lineup, while center Joakim Noah, forward Luol Deng, guard Jimmy Butler and guard Derrick Rose were sidelined by injuries.

Milwaukee (5-16) trailed 57-55 heading into the fourth quarter, then surged into the lead with a 10-2 run. Knight had two driving baskets in the run, and Henson finished with a dunk off a pass from guard O.J. Mayo.

Holding a six-point lead, the Bucks held the ball for over a minute by grabbing three straight offensive rebounds, but couldn't score.

Chicago (8-11) got back in it by hitting the glass. Boozer finished a bank shot after an offensive rebound by Kirk Hinrich. Then Hinrich chased down his own rebound, was fouled and hit one of two free throws to make it 72-69.

After Henson hit a free throw, Dunleavy's 3-pointer brought the Bulls within 73-72 with 1:59 remaining. Following Henson's long jumper, the Bulls failed to score on their next three possessions. Ersan Ilyasova's free throws with 4.2 seconds on the clock clinched the victory.

Chicago shot 25 percent from the field in the first quarter and fell behind 20-14. Then Dunleavy caught fire, hitting 7 of 7 shots from the field in the second quarter for 18 points, as the Bulls took a 42-35 lead into halftime.

NOTES: Chicago's injury list grew larger Tuesday when C Joakim Noah was a surprise scratch with a right thigh bruise. Noah had played in every game this season, and coach Tom Thibodeau made no mention of Noah's injury at the morning shootaround. This was the start of four games in five nights for Chicago. ... The Bulls were already missing F Luol Deng (sore left Achilles) and G Jimmy Butler (turf toe on right foot), besides losing G Derrick Rose to right knee surgery. Thibodeau expects Deng and Butler back soon, perhaps even Wednesday at New York. ... Milwaukee has plenty of its own injury concerns. The Bucks are missing C Larry Sanders (thumb), F Caron Butler (knee), C Zaza Pachulia (broken foot), G Gary Neal (plantar fasciitis) and F Carlos Delfino (right foot surgery).. ... Milwaukee won twice at the United Center last season.