High-scoring Bulls fall in 2 OT
The Bulls are getting the hang of this new offensive-oriented style.
Taking on the NBA's highest-scoring team, the Dallas Mavericks, on Tuesday at the United Center, the Bulls left shooters wide open, watched dribblers skip down open paths to the basket and fell behind by double digits more than once.
Points can solve a lot of problems, though. The Bulls used a 12-0 run in the fourth quarter to take command, but let it get away. Dallas won in double overtime 132-129.
The Bulls should have had this one in the bag, but Jimmy Butler missed a free throw with 14.6 seconds left. Then leading by 3 in the waning seconds, Kirk Hinrich tried to foul Monta Ellis before he could launch a 3-pointer. He got there too late, though, and Ellis drained 3 free throws with 1.2 seconds left to tie the score.
The Bulls turned the tables in overtime, with Derrick Rose banking in a 3-pointer at the buzzer to tie the score. In the second OT, Ellis knocked down a go-ahead 3-pointer with 39 seconds left. Ellis finished with 38 points. Pau Gasol led the Bulls with 29 points and 14 rebounds while playing 50 minutes.
Mike McGraw will have more from this game later.