Mike McGraw’s game tracker

Bulls 99, Grizzlies 96

Playoff atmosphere: A game against Memphis doesn’t automatically conjure thoughts of late-season NBA intensity, but this game had it. The Bulls brought enough of a finishing kick to pull out a narrow victory and stretch their lead to 2 games over Boston for first place in the East.

Close call: The Grizzlies were intent on making Derrick Rose hit a traffic jam in the lane and the Bulls trailed 88-84 with 5:57 left before finding the right answers. They rallied with a couple of tip-in baskets, then Kyle Korver’s 3-pointer with 3:35 left put the home team up 93-91.

Board work: The Bulls won the rebound battle 45-32 and beat Memphis in second-chance points 29-15. “The fact that we got crushed on the glass was the difference,” Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins said.