Bulls 96, Nets 85
CHICAGO -- Center Joakim Noah continued to shine and the Bulls moved into a tie for fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings by beating the Brooklyn Nets 96-85 on Saturday at the United Center.
On Thursday against Philadelphia, Noah became the first NBA player in 15 years to record at least 20 points, 20 rebounds and 10 blocks in a game. Against Brooklyn, Noah produced 21 points, 10 rebounds and hit 10-of-13 shots from the field.
Carlos Boozer added 20 points for Chicago, while Jimmy Butler contributed 13 points off the bench. The Bulls shot 52.1 percent from the field as a team.
The Nets, who lost at home to Dallas on Friday, have now dropped four of their last five games. Center Brook Lopez led Brooklyn with 22 points, while guard Deron Williams added 14 and forward Andray Blatche scored 13.
Brooklyn started the game with energy, building a quick 15-4 lead as Lopez scored six points, while Williams and Gerald Wallace each knocked down 3-pointers.
Chicago recovered quickly, taking a 25-23 lead on Noah's dunk and 3-point play before the first quarter was over. The Nets were ahead 39-38 midway through the second quarter after a driving lay-in by Joe Johnson when the game turned completely.
The Bulls finished the first half on a 15-0 run, which included 3-point baskets by Daequan Cook, Nate Robinson and Kirk Hinrich. The domination continued after halftime with a pair of baskets from Boozer to stretch the run to 19-0.
Brooklyn finally ended its scoring drought when Lopez hit two free throws with 9:12 left in the third quarter. The Nets never seriously threatened the rest of the way.
NOTES: The Bulls signed 6-foot-9 forward Lou Amundson to a 10-day contract on Saturday. Released by Minnesota on Feb. 8, Amundson joins his seventh NBA team in seven seasons. Amundson is expected to add depth on the front line while Taj Gibson is out with a sprained left knee. "You have to be around me enough and see me play day in and day out to really appreciate what (I) bring to the team," Amundson said. ... Chicago guard Richard Hamilton missed his second game with lower back spasms and coach Tom Thibodeau wasn't sure whether Hamilton would travel with the team for Sunday's game in Indianapolis. ... Entering Saturday's action, Brooklyn's P.J. Carlesimo was tied with Lawrence Frank for the best 31-game start for a new coach in franchise history at 20-11.
