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Friday, Mar. 24 8:30pm ET
Bulls score 70, snap 8-game skid | |||||
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 GAME FLOW
CHICAGO (AP) -- Hersey Hawkins waited a while -- almost the entire game -- to get involved Friday night. When he did, the Chicago Bulls ended an eight-game losing streak. Hawkins scored all six of his points in the final two minutes, hitting two free throws with eight seconds left, as the Bulls beat the Denver Nuggets 70-68 in the NBA's lowest scoring game this season. "I said, `Not another overtime,"' Hawkins said, noting the Bulls had lost their two previous home games in extra periods. "I wasn't shooting outstanding so I tried to take the ball to the basket and see if the refs would make a call and try to get to the line." Denver's Nick Van Exel missed a 3-pointer just before the buzzer and the 33-year-old Hawkins hit the floor to cover the ball as Chicago won for just the second time in 18 games. The 138 points were two fewer than in the Bulls' 71-69 victory over New Jersey on Dec. 10. Denver, which suffered through its second-lowest scoring game of the season -- 67 is the Nuggets' low -- has lost 13 of 15. Elton Brand led the Bulls with 26 points and 15 rebounds, and Chicago won despite shooting just 30 percent from the field. "It was ugly, but a win is a win," Brand said. "We've been in so many close games the last two weeks or so and couldn't pull one out." Keon Clark paced the Nuggets, who shot 33 percent, with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Raef LaFrentz had 15 rebounds. "If you shoot 33 percent from the field and 55 percent from the line and give up 22 points off turnovers, you should expect to get beat by anybody," Denver coach Dan Issel said. "An ugly, ugly game. But I'm sure the Bulls will take it." Hawkins' floater through the lane gave the Bulls a 68-66 lead with 1:24 left. Fred Hoiberg then stole a pass with 1:10 left. But after Brand missed, Clark followed his own miss with 28 seconds left for a 68-68 tie. After a timeout, the Bulls tried to set up a final shot, but Hawkins slipped in the lane and a foul was called on James Posey. Hawkins made both free throws to give the Bulls a two-point lead. Then the Nuggets turned to Van Exel, who had the option to shoot or pass. "I took what the Bulls gave me and I had an open look," Van Exel said. "I just didn't hit it." Brand had 20 first-half points, including the Bulls' first 13 in the second quarter. The game was tied after the first quarter, at the half and after three quarters. Game notesFred Hoiberg returned after missing three games with a concussion, the result of a collision last Friday against Golden State. Hoiberg took another blow when he drove through the lane for a dunk and was hit in the nose by Chris Gatling's arm. ... The Nuggets committed 24 turnovers. The Bulls, averaging almost 19 a game, had 12. ... The Nuggets have lost nine straight on the road and are 10-90 away from home the last three seasons. ... Antonio McDyess fouled out with two minutes left and had just 10 points. | ALSO SEE NBA Scoreboard Denver Clubhouse Chicago Clubhouse RECAPS Philadelphia 117 Boston 115
Chicago 70
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