Butler, Rose Lead Bulls to Win Over Grizzlies

Jimmy Butler finished with 24 points, Derrick Rose scored 19 and the Chicago Bulls beat the Memphis Grizzlies 98-85 on Wednesday night.

Butler and Rose shook off recent illnesses, and the Bulls used a big third quarter to tie a season high with their fourth straight win.

Doug McDermott scored 17 -- one shy of his career high -- and hit four 3-pointers. Pau Gasol added 10 points and 14 rebounds in his 22nd game against younger brother Marc.

Courtney Lee tied a season high with 18 points for Memphis, but the Grizzlies lost for the third time in four games because they couldn't connect from long range or at the line.

They were 5 of 19 on 3-pointers, with Mike Conley (eight points) missing seven of eight. The Grizzlies weren't much better at the foul line, going 16 of 28 -- a stunning showing for a team that came in leading the league in free-throw accuracy.

The Bulls outscored Memphis 24-13 in the third quarter to turn a three-point halftime deficit into a 74-66 lead.

Butler and Rose each scored six in the quarter and chipped in during a 17-4 run that gave Chicago a 69-60 lead.

Pacers 107, Mavericks 81

Pacers guard Monta Ellis didn't have to circle the date on his calendar. He knew when his former team was coming to town.

Ellis scored 13 of his 19 points in the third quarter, Paul George added 19 points and the Indiana Pacers beat the Dallas Mavericks 107-81 on Wednesday night.

Ellis shot with a purpose in the first half while trying to take it to his former teammates and coach. But he was scoreless at halftime after going 0 for 8 from the floor and 0 for 1 from 3-point range, and the Pacers trailed 47-45.

With 9 minutes left in the third quarter, Ellis hit a baseline jumper in front of the Dallas bench, turning and looking at his former team as he went down the floor. Then, he stole a pass at midcourt and finished with a layup. On the next possession, Ellis finished another fast break with a layup after a Dallas turnover, forcing the Mavericks to call timeout.

He scored six straight points and gave the Pacers the momentum they needed to put Dallas away. Indiana outscored the Mavericks 30-17 in the third quarter.

Wednesday, December 16 Scoreboard

Indiana 107, Dallas 81
     
Orlando 113, Charlotte 98

Miami 104, Brooklyn 98

Detroit 119, Boston 116
    
New York 107, Minnesota 102

Atlanta 127, Philadelphia 106
    
Chicago 98, Memphis 85
    
Oklahoma City 106, Portland 90
    
San Antonio 114, Washington 95

New Orleans 104, Utah 94
    
Golden State 128, Phoenix 103
    
Los Angeles 103, Milwaukee 90

Thursday, December 17 Schedule (All Times Central)

Toronto at Charlotte, 6 p.m.

Oklahoma City at Cleveland, 7 p.m.

Houston at Los Angeles, 9:30 p.m.