NBA Game Summary - LA Lakers at Chicago
(Monday, January 21st)
Final Score: Chicago 95, LA Lakers 83
Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Kirk Hinrich led six Bulls players in double
figures with 22 points to go with eight assists and seven rebounds, as the
Chicago Bulls pulled away from the punchless Los Angeles Lakers, 95-83, at
United Center.
Marco Belinelli scored 15 points, including two key 3-pointers during a late
18-4 run that put the game away. Jimmy Butler, starting for the second
straight game in place of the injured Luol Deng, recorded 10 points and eight
rebounds for the Bulls, who have won four of their last five.
Carlos Boozer (14 points), Richard Hamilton (13) and Nate Robinson (11)
rounded out Chicago's leading scorers.
"Everyone played well. Everyone was part of this win," Butler said.
Steve Nash paced Los Angeles with 18 points and six assists, while Kobe Bryant
was held to 16 points to end a string of 24 straight games of 20-plus points.
The Lakers have dropped three in a row overall and six straight on the road
for the first time since the 2004-05 season.
"It's very, very tough and very, very frustrating," Bryant said. "It's
embarrassing. Tonight was embarrassing."
After playing three straight overtime games, the Bulls made sure to end things
in regulation on Monday. They scored eight straight points to break a 75-75
tie, and a pair of Belinelli 3-pointers around an Earl Clark layup gave
Chicago an 89-79 cushion with 2:27 to play.
After Bryant missed a fadeaway, Hinrich and Boozer continued the barrage and
sealed the win with back-to-back jumpers.
Chicago never trailed in the first half and led by as many as 11 after
Robinson hit consecutive 3-pointers for a 35-24 lead early in the second
quarter.
It was 47-40 at halftime, and the Bulls continued to play front-runner until
Bryant split a pair of defenders for a layup to give the Lakers their first --
and only -- lead in the final minute of the third quarter. Butler made two
free throws to tie things, 69-69, heading to the fourth.
Game Notes
The Bulls have won three straight against the Lakers after losing the previous
seven meetings ... Pau Gasol came off the Lakers' bench and totaled 15 points
and 12 boards ... Los Angeles committed 16 turnovers to Chicago's eight.
01/22 01:58:18 ET

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