Bulls Clinch Playoff Spot With Win, NBA Roundup

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Published on March 24 2015 6:23 am
Last Updated on March 24 2015 6:23 am
Written by Millie Lange

Nikola Mirotic and Pau Gasol carried the Chicago Bulls in Jimmy Butler's return to the court. Mirotic scored 14 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter, and the Bulls clinched a playoff spot with a 98-86 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night.

Gasol had 27 points and 12 rebounds as Chicago moved into a tie with Toronto for third place in the Eastern Conference. Butler added 19 points on 6-of-20 shooting after missing 11 games with a sprained left elbow.

"It was great to have him back. Great," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. "He had a bunch of bunnies that he always makes, so his timing was not quite there but I thought as the game went on, he started to get into a rhythm."

The Bulls played without center Joakim Noah, who was scratched because of general soreness, but managed to bounce back from an ugly 107-91 loss at Detroit on Saturday.


Rockets 110, Pacers 100

James Harden found all the cracks in Indiana's defense Monday night. The three-time All-Star scored 19 of his 44 points in the fourth quarter, including 12 during a decisive 4-minute flurry that helped the Houston Rockets pull away for a 110-100 victory over the Pacers, who have lost six in a row.

"He was just solid. He's a hell of a player," Rockets coach Kevin McHale said. "We don't have our record if James isn't playing at an MVP level, which he's doing. I say it every year, two or three guys play at extraordinary levels, and he's one of them right now."


Celtics 110, Nets 91

Boston coach Brad Stevens thought his Celtics tightened up down the stretch of a tough home loss Sunday that dropped them out of playoff position. The Celtics made the final minutes stress-free Monday night -- and the reward was a spot right back in the top eight. Evan Turner had 19 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds, and Boston beat the Brooklyn Nets 110-91 to snap a three-game losing streak. Avery Bradley scored 20 points to lead the Celtics, who moved a half-game ahead of Charlotte for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Tyler Zeller and Kelly Olynyk each had 18 points for Boston, which quickly pulled away in the third quarter to bounce back from a 105-97 overtime loss to Detroit on Sunday at home.


Grizzlies 103, Knicks 82

The Memphis Grizzlies clinched a playoff spot for the fifth consecutive season on Monday night. They hope this is only the beginning. Zach Randolph scored 23 points and Marc Gasol had 21, leading Memphis to a 103-82 win over the lowly New York Knicks. The Grizzlies (50-21) shot 52 percent from the field in their third consecutive victory. Vince Carter added 14 points, Jeff Green scored 12 and Kosta Koufos had 10.


Monday, March 23 Scoreboard

Houston 110, Indiana 100

Boston 110, Brooklyn 91    Bradley

Memphis 103, New York 82

Chicago 98, Charlotte 86

Minnesota 106, Utah 104 (OT)

Golden State 107, Washington 76


Tuesday, March 24 Schedule (All Times Central)

Toronto at Detroit, 6:30 p.m.

Miami at Milwaukee, 7 p.m.

LA Lakers at Oklahoma City, 7 p.m.

San Antonio at Dallas, 7 p.m.

Philadelphia at Sacramento, 9 p.m.

Golden State at Portland, 9:30 p.m.