Rose shines down the stretch as Bulls bury Thunder

Chicago: Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler combined for 55 points as the Chicago Bulls rebounded from one of their worst defensive losses in recent memory with a 104-98 win over Oklahoma City Thursday.

Rose and Butler outshone the Thunders’ dynamic duo of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook as two of the NBA’s top ranked teams squared off for the first time this season.

The Bulls allowed the Thunder to tie the score three times down the stretch, but each time Chicago was able to retake the lead before holding them off in a thrilling finish.

Meanwhile, centre Al Jefferson scored a season-high 31 points as the Charlotte Hornets halted a Texas-size losing streak by routing the host Dallas Mavericks 108-94.

Elsewhere, Dwyane Wade scored a game-high 25 points, and teammate Goran Dragic added 18 as the Miami Heat upstaged the Minnesota Timberwolves 96-84 at Target Center. (AFP)