Gasol Guides Bulls To Win, NBA Scores

Coming off an emotional win two nights earlier, facing the slumping Denver Nuggets had the makings of a trap game for Chicago. Thanks to Pau Gasol, the Bulls came out with another win.

Gasol had 26 points and 19 rebounds to lead Chicago to a 99-90 win over the Nuggets on Wednesday night. Gasol shot 12 for 19 from the field and had his fifth consecutive double-double as the Bulls, who beat San Antonio on Monday night, won for the third time in four games and improved to 7-1 at home.

"This is the type of game that you play against a team that has lost seven in a row and you think that you're going to probably win the game and it's not going to require your maximum effort," Gasol said. "Sometimes teams do fall into that trap and for parts of the game we kind of were in that place, but I think we snapped out of it well and with enough time on the clock that we could make a run and win the game."

The Nuggets, who finished shooting 39 percent from the field, led 72-68 heading to the fourth quarter after limiting Chicago to 17 points in the third. Chicago regained the lead for good at 82-79 with 7:37 left on Doug McDermott's 3-pointer, and handed the Nuggets their eighth straight loss.

The Nuggets fell behind by eight but cut the lead to four on J.J. Hickson's dunk with 2:22 left. Chicago then rebuilt its lead and salvaged the win after outscoring the Nuggets 31-18 during the fourth, including 12 from Gasol.

Pacers 103, Clippers 91

Paul George walked onto the floor at the start of the fourth quarter and looked at the smaller Indiana teammates around him. He liked their chances.

"I told my guys this is where we make our mark," George said.

And he was right.

George had 31 points and 10 rebounds, and the surging Pacers broke open a close game early in the fourth to beat the injury-depleted Los Angeles Clippers 103-91 on Wednesday night for their sixth consecutive victory.

"If we were going to be able to pull away from this team, the coach is confident enough to put the small lineup out there, we're just going to have to make a separation," George said. "We did a great job of pushing the tempo, getting great stops and turning them into baskets."

The Pacers (12-5) took control with a 14-1 run and opened an 86-70 lead on George's 3-pointer with 8:28 to play against a much bigger Clippers unit.

Wednesday, December 2 Scoreboard

Golden State 116, Charlotte 99

Los Angeles 108, Washington 104

Detroit 127, Phoenix 122 (OT)

New York 99, Philadelphia 87

Toronto 96, Atlanta 86

Chicago 99, Denver 90

Houston 108, New Orleans 101

San Antonio 95, Milwaukee 70

Indiana 103, Los Angeles 91
    

Thursday, December 3 Schedule (All Times Central)

Oklahoma City at Miami, 6 p.m.

Denver at Toronto, 6:30 p.m.

Orlando at Utah, 8 p.m.

San Antonio at Memphis, 8:30 p.m.

Indiana at Portland, 9 p.m.

Boston at Sacramento, 9 p.m.