Chicago, IL (Sports Network) – Carlos Boozer recorded a double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds, as the Chicago Bulls handled the Indiana Pacers, 110-89, at the United Center.
Derrick Rose added 20 points and seven assists for the Bulls, who reached the 100-point plateau for the first time in 14 games.
Luol Deng chipped in with 19 points, eight assists and six boards for Chicago, which has won five straight. Kyle Korver donated 16 points off the bench.
Bulls forward Taj Gibson twisted his right ankle in the fourth quarter. The severity of the injury is not yet known.
Josh McRoberts scored a career-high 20 points and pulled down eight rebounds for the Pacers, who have dropped seven of eight. Danny Granger tallied 19 points and six boards.
Trailing by eight, 25-17, late in the first quarter, Chicago ended the period on an 8-2 flurry. Gibson’s two free throws cut the gap to 27-25 after 12 minutes of action.
Holding a 43-42 edge midway through the second frame, the Bulls ripped off eight straight points. Kurt Thomas’ layup and jumper made it 51-42. It was 55-51 at the break.
Chicago, which led by as many as nine in the third, took a 77-72 lead into the fourth.
The Bulls scored the first six points of the fourth to build an 83-72 margin.
Ahead 92-82 with under six minutes to play, Chicago ripped off 10 unanswered points to make it a 20-point contest with less than 3 1/2 minutes left.
Game Notes
Chicago has taken six of its last seven games with the Pacers, including three meetings this season…The Bulls improved to a gaudy 23-4 in the Windy City this season…Indiana was without forward Tyler Hansbrough (pneumonia) and guard Brandon Rush (sprained right ankle)…Pacers head coach Jim O’Brien was ejected with 3:23 left in the fourth…Indiana center Jeff Foster surpassed 5,000 rebounds for his career. He ended with 10 boards and four points.