Bulls beat Hornets for third win in row

[April 04, 2018]  Sean Kilpatrick made a pair of 3-point baskets in the final four minutes as the Chicago Bulls fended off the visiting Charlotte Hornets for a 120-114 victory Tuesday night at the United Center.

The outcome gave the Bulls their longest winning streak since mid-January, three games.

Chicago's Lauri Markkanen, who made five 3-pointers, scored 24 points, and Kilpatrick finished with 21 off the bench.

Justin Holiday added 19 points for the Bulls, Bobby Portis scored 16, Jerian Grant supplied 13 points (including a pair of clinching free throws) and David Nwaba chipped in 10 points.

Dwight Howard's 23 points and 17 rebounds paced the Hornets, who lost their fourth game in a row. Malik Monk added 21 points off the Charlotte bench.

Marvin Williams's 18 points, Nic Batum's 11 points, Willy Hernangomez's 11 points and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist's 10 points weren't enough to allow the Hornets to keep up.

Charlotte guard Kemba Walker had his second outing with fewer than 10 points since becoming the franchise's all-time leading scorer last week. He scored nine points on 4-of-11 shooting from the floor.

Chicago has reached a three-game winning streak only four times this season.

The Bulls made 15 of 34 attempts from 3-point range. They committed only eight turnovers compared to 20 for the Hornets.

 

Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen (24) drives to the basket against the Charlotte Hornets during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

The matchup between two teams out of playoff contention included some riveting moments. Chicago led 88-79 with 11 minutes remaining, but the Hornets pulled even less than 2 1/2 minutes later.

Charlotte pulled within two points or one point of the lead six times in the final seven minutes.

The Bulls surged late in the second quarter for a 53-47 halftime lead.

Chicago closed the half on a 13-4 run, hitting three 3-pointers. Holiday and Portis sank long-range shots in the final minute.

Markkanen scored 18 first-half points on 6-for-10 shooting from the field.

Charlotte was hurt by 11 first-half turnovers.

Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg was back on the bench just two days after missing a game because of illness.

--Field Level Media

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