Rose leads Bulls past slumping Cavaliers 88-83

[December 09, 2010]  CLEVELAND (AP) -- Derrick Rose scored 29 points, including a three-point play that put Chicago ahead for good with 19.6 seconds to play, and the Bulls beat Cleveland 88-83 on Wednesday night to hand the Cavaliers their sixth straight loss.

The losing streak matches Cleveland's longest since it dropped six in a row from Nov. 28 to Dec. 8, 2007.

Cleveland coach Byron Scott shuffled his lineup in an effort to stop the skid, but the Cavaliers fell short. Antawn Jamison, one of the players moved into a starting role, scored 21 to lead Cleveland

Luol Deng and Joakim Noah had 13 points apiece for Chicago, which has won three straight.

Thanks to a snowstorm that hit the area and snarled downtown traffic, several Cavaliers players got to the arena later than usual. All showed up before tip-off. Chicago's team bus was also struck in traffic, even though the Bulls' hotel was located only a couple of miles from Quicken Loans Arena. The arena, which seats 20,000, was approximately half full.

Rose's layup gave Chicago an 82-80 lead with 46.5 seconds left. Anderson Varejao's basket with 39.2 seconds left tied the game. After Rose missed a jumper, Varejao was fouled going for the rebound and made one of two free throws with 26.2 seconds to play.

Following a timeout, Rose drove into lane, was fouled by Mo Williams and made the layup, putting the Bulls ahead by one with 19.6 seconds left. His free throw made it 85-83 and Cleveland called timeout.

Williams missed a jumper from the corner and Daniel Gibson's rebound shot rimmed out. Noah was fouled and made both free throws with 6.2 seconds to play.

Ronnie Brewer stole the inbounds pass and made one free throw.

Varejao scored 17 points for Cleveland while Gibson, also moved into the starting lineup, had 14.

Kyle Korver scored 12 points, all in the fourth quarter, for the Bulls.

Scott benched forwards J.J. Hickson and Joey Graham while starting Jamison at one forward spot and Gibson at shooting guard. Anthony Parker was moved from shooting guard to small forward.

NOTES: F Carlos Boozer, who scored 54 points in his previous two games, had four for Chicago. ... The Bulls host the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night. ... Cavaliers G Ramon Sessions, who has been averaging almost 23 minutes a game, didn't play. ... Graham, who had started the last several games, also saw no action. ... F Jamario Moon, who has been starting most of the season, was inactive.

[Associated Press]

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