RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME FLOW

MOLINE, Ill. (AP) _ Rookie Ron Artest scored nine of his 13 points in a second-quarter surge Friday night that carried the Chicago Bulls to a 97-91 exhibition win over the Denver Nuggets.

Artest, a 19-year-old shooting guard from St. John's, scored seven straight points in second period as the Bulls (2-0) turned a 23-18 lead into a 50-37 halftime advantage.

The Bulls stayed ahead throughout the second half.

Ron Mercer led the Nuggets (1-2) with 19 points, Antonio McDyess added 16 and Raef LaFrentz, playing here on the border of his native Iowa, delivered 14.

Chris Anstey's 15 points paced the Bulls, while top draft pick Eldon Brand had just six, all on free throws.