Butler's season-high 32 power Bulls past Suns, 103-97
Butler's season-high 32 power Bulls past Suns, 103-97
PHOENIX: The fourth quarter was Jimmy Butler's time Wednesday night.
Butler scored 14 of his season-high 32 points in the final period, leading the Chicago Bulls over the Phoenix Suns 103-97 for their fourth straight victory.
The Suns led 88-87 with 4:47 left on a pair of free throws by Bledsoe but couldn't hold off the Bulls, who scored the next seven points. Butler played the entire fourth quarter.
Butler's 3-pointer with 1:08 to play gave the Bulls a 99-92 lead, and he followed it up with a dunk with 9.2 seconds left. The fifth-year guard took on a bigger offensive load with Derrick Rose sidelined by an ankle injury.
He said he spoke with Rose before the game and was told to be more aggressive on the offensive end. Pau Gasol added 17 points and eight rebounds, Kirk Heinrich scored 14 and former Phoenix guard Aaron Brooks had 12 points as Chicago ended the Suns' three-game winning streak. The Bulls made 13 of 18 shots and equaled a season high for points in the first quarter with 31, including 10 from Butler.
Quarter by quarter
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 FINAL SCORE
Chicago Bulls 31 22 19 31 103
Phoenix Suns 18 29 23 27 97
Mavericks rally from 18 down to beat Celtics 106-102
BOSTON: The Dallas Mavericks didn't look ready at the beginning of the game, but they sure made it look easy in the final quarter, on Wednesday night, for their fifth straight victory.
Bradley scored 12 straight points in 1:43 during an 18-3 run that carried Boston to a 31-16 lead after one quarter. Trailing from the game's opening basket, the Mavericks erased a nine-point halftime deficit, tying it twice in the third quarter, but Boston closed with an 11-4 spree to lead 78-70 after three. Kelly Olynyk and Bradley each had a 3-pointer from the left corner during the run.
Dirk Nowitzki scored 23 points, Wesley Matthews had 18 and the Mavericks erased an 18-point, first-half deficit to beat the Boston Celtics 106-102.
It all came down to a crucial steal to seal it. The Celtics closed to 104-102 and had a chance to tie or take the lead, but Raymond Felton stole the ball from Isaiah Thomas in the closing seconds after Felton missed two free throws that would have secured the win. Williams then nailed two free throws, making him perfect on 30 attempts this season. Boston coach Brad Stevens knew his team wasted an opportunity. Zaza Pachulia had 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Mavericks. Deron Williams added 16 points, including consecutive key baskets. The Mavericks shot 64.7 percent (11 of 17) in the second after starting the game ice cold.
Quarter by quarter
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 FINAL SCORE
Boston Celtics 31 23 24 24 102
Dallas Mavericks 16 29 25 36 106
Results: Charlotte Hornets 116 beat Brooklyn Nets 111, Orlando Magic 104 beat Minnesota Timberwolves 101, Indiana Pacers 112 beat Philadelphia 76ers 85, Dallas Mavericks 106 beat Boston Celtics 102, Atlanta Hawks 103 beat Sacramento Kings 97, Houston Rockets 108 beat Portland Trailblazers 103, Oklahoma City Thunder 103 beat New Orleans Pelicans 103, San Antonio Spurs 109 Denver Nuggets 98, Utah Jazz 93 beat Toronto Raptors 89, Chicago Bulls 103 beat Phoenix Suns 97
Live on Sony Six on November 20, 2015
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