Bulls Bounce Kings, 109-102, NBA Scores

The Chicago Bulls have been in the habit of playing down to the level of their competition this season. Not against the Sacramento Kings on Monday night, though.

Derrick Rose and Taj Gibson had 18 points each, Doug McDermott added 16 and Pau Gasol had 14 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Bulls to a 109-102 comeback victory over the Kings.

Rose was 9 for 15 from the field and hit a couple of 15-foot jumpers during Chicago's decisive 10-0 run in the fourth quarter to rally from a five-point deficit.

Gasol recorded his 39th double-double of the season in just 24 1/2 minutes in his first game back after missing four games with a swollen right knee.

The Bulls (36-33) have won three straight and maintain slim lead on the Detroit Pistons (35-32) for the eighth and final playoff spot in Eastern Conference.

Pacers 91, 76ers 75

The Indiana Pacers got exactly what they needed Monday night. A win over the league's worst team.

Paul George finished with 15 points and six rebounds and Monta Ellis added 13 points to help Indiana coast past the still reeling Philadelphia 76ers 91-75 and jumpstart a late-season playoff push.

"The good thing is we've got a nice home stretch, we're going through the home stretch and we've got a good chance to make a push toward sixth, fifth, fourth in the East," George said.

In front of one of the smallest crowds at Bankers Life Fieldhouse this season and with the energy and passion lacking, the Pacers still made it look easy.

They never allowed the 76ers to take the lead, never permitted them to tie it after the first 3 1/2 minutes and only allowed Philadelphia to make it a one-possession game once over the final 42 1/2 minutes. It was good enough to snap a two-game losing streak and set up a 12-game final run that includes one of the friendliest schedules in the East.

Indiana has seven remaining home games left and only four left against teams that started Monday with a record at or above .500.

Monday, March 21 Scoreboard
    
Charlotte 91, San Antonio 88
    
Cleveland 124, Denver 91

Indiana 91, Phladelphia 75
    
Boston 107, Orlando 96

Detroit 92, Milwaukee 91

Washington 117, Atlanta 102
    
Chicago 109, Sacramento 102

Golden State 109, Minnesota 104

Memphis 103, Phoenix 97

Tuesday, March 22 Schedule (All Times Central)

Charlotte at Brooklyn, 5:30 p.m.

Miami at New Orleans, 6 p.m.

Houston at Oklahoma City, 6 p.m.

Memphis at Los Angeles, 8:30 p.m.