Bulls storm back after trailing 24-5

Chicago hasn't seen things turn around this quickly since prohibition was repealed in the 1920s.

The Dallas Mavericks came to town Thursday with a 2-5 record and were clearly anxious to put the rough start behind them and prove they are still a Western Conference power.

With point guard Jason Kidd running the show, the Mavericks executed flawlessly from the opening tip and jumped to a quick 24-5 advantage, hitting 9 of 11 shots in the process.

Then Kidd, 35, came out for a breather and the game was never the same. The Bulls blitzed Dallas with a 36-point turnaround, eventually winning 98-91 after leading by 17 midway through the fourth quarter.

"We're on our home court and we're down 24-5," Bulls guard Ben Gordon described. "I heard the fans starting to boo us and I think everybody started to take it a little personal."

The Bulls (4-5) took it personally in more ways than one. After the final horn, Luol Deng walked over and said something to a fan who early in the game suggested the fifth-year forward, who signed a $71 million contract over the summer, give his money to charity. Of course, Deng does give plenty to charities, including hosting 700 guests for a Thanksgiving dinner this weekend at a local homeless shelter.

Rookie Derrick Rose, just 1-for-8 from the field with 2 points at halftime, seemed to make a point of proving no team will shut him down. He responded with 14 points in the third quarter while hitting 6 of 7 shots.

"I hate when I miss layups," Rose said. "All I wanted to do was attack the hoop. I had to concentrate a little bit more on my layups.

"I wasn't worried at all in the beginning. It was only the first quarter and an NBA game is long, so I knew we were going to come back somehow."

The Mavs as a whole showed signs of slowing down. Dirk Nowitzki had about as quiet a game as he's ever played against the Bulls, scoring 12 points and hitting 5 of 17 shots. Jason Terry scored 16 points, but struggled defensively. Josh Howard, returning from two games off with a wrist injury, led Dallas with 21 points, but shot 7-for-23 from the field.

Gordon took advantage of the older defenders to score a season-high 35 points, hitting 12 of 21 shots. Deng added 20, while Rose finished with 16 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. The Bulls also committed just 7 turnovers, less than half their season average of 15.4.