Chicago: The Chicago Bulls recovered from a dismal third quarter to beat the Dallas Mavericks 82-77 in a defensive battle on Thursday.
The Bulls built a nine-point cushion at halftime but scored just 12 in the third quarter as the Mavericks seized a 60-56 lead.
Derrick Rose's layup for Chicago with 8:54 remaining tied the score at 66-66.
C.J. Watson sandwiched a Jason Terry basket for Dallas with a pair of three-pointers to open up a 72-68 lead that the Bulls would not relinquish.
"A win is a win," Rose said.
"Everything that went on in that game was kind of terrible, except the way we played defence."
Rose led all scorers with 26 points and had nine assists.
Kurt Thomas had nine points and 11 rebounds for Chicago.
"I know I can shoot," said Thomas.
"I just do what's asked to help this team win. Play solid defence, rebound and when the shot is there, shoot it."
For Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki top scored with 19 and Tyson Chandler recorded a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
Terry scored seven of his 12 points in the fourth quarter.
Winning ways
But he missed a three-pointer that would have tied the game with 16 seconds left.
Chicago's Kyle Korver hit a pair of free throws with five seconds left to ice the win. "Their team finds ways to win," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said.
"That has kind of defined their season."
Bryant to leave his imprint in Hollywood
Kobe Bryant will become the first athlete to have his foot and hand prints placed in the cement outside Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
The honour, usually reserved for Hollywood's brightest and most glamorous film stars, is another feather in the cap of the 12-time all-star Bryant who has five NBA championship rings and an Olympic gold medal.
The Los Angeles Lakers star guard Bryant, who wears a size 14 (European 48) shoe, joins such celebrities as John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe and Brad Pitt who have had their hand and footprints set in cement in front of the luxury Hollywood movie theatre.
Bryant will have his hand and footprints set during a ceremony February 19 which will coincide with the National Basketball Association's all-star weekend festivities.
The annual NBA all-star game will take place February 20 at Staples Center Arena.
CHARLOTTE 100 Philadelphia 97
- CHICAGO 82 Dallas 77
- PORTLAND 108 LA Clippers 93
home team in CAPS
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