Bulls, Wade pick off Pacers to halt three-game skid

[December 27, 2016]  CHICAGO -- On the official scoresheet, Chicago Bulls guard Dwyane Wade's game-changing play in the closing seconds of Monday night's victory over the Indiana Pacers was marked as a steal and a dunk.

If you ask Wade, it felt more like an interception and a touchdown.

"I kind of played free safety on that one," Wade said with a grin. "I kind of baited him to throw it."

Wade's instincts proved to be the difference as the Bulls held on for a 90-85 win on Monday night. He finished with 21 points and five assists to lead the team in scoring for the second time in as many nights.

Forward Nikola Mirotic added a season-high 20 points off the bench for the Bulls. Forward Jimmy Butler scored 16 points despite going 3 of 12 from the field.

Chicago (15-16) snapped a three-game losing streak and improved to 9-6 on its home court.

"We needed the win," said Bulls guard Rajon Rondo, who managed only two points but helped in other ways by grabbing nine rebounds and distributing five assists. "The team played great, and a bunch of guys stepped up. In the end, what was most important was the win."

Guard Aaron Brooks scored a season-high 19 points off the bench to lead the Pacers. Center Myles Turner had 16 points and eight rebounds.

Indiana (15-17) has lost three games in a row for the first time this season.

Pacers coach Nate McMillan criticized the officiating after the game. The Pacers shot 10 free throws compared with 28 for the Bulls. Pacers forward Paul George received one free throw compared with 12 for Butler.

"They've got to give us more respect," McMillan said. "They're getting away with a lot of grabbing on Paul. They've got to call the game both ways."

George said he needed to change his mindset based on the way opponents were guarding him.

"I just need to get to the rim knowing it's going to be a one-on-one game for me," George said. "I'm going to have to play through physicality, I'm going to have to play through contact."

Both teams traded big shots in the final minute. George hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key to cut the deficit to 86-85 with 45.3 seconds to go. Mirotic responded with a step-back jump shot from just inside the 3-point line to make it 88-85 with 21.2 seconds remaining.

Mirotic said he has tried to stay confident despite a bumpy season. He tried to drive past Pacers forward Thaddeus Young before opting for a long-range jump shot to keep the Bulls ahead.

 "It was a very tough shot, to be honest," Mirotic said. "We made a play for Jimmy, and they trapped him (with) a double team. I was the only one who was open in that corner."

Wade stole a pass from Brooks and sprinted end to end for a dunk to finish the scoring with 1.2 seconds remaining. He raised an arm in celebration as the Pacers retreated to their bench.

Chicago clung to a 63-61 edge entering the fourth quarter. Indiana closed the third quarter on a 12-2 run thanks to a burst of offense from Brooks, who hit a driving layup, a baseline jump shot and a 3-pointer from the left wing as the Bulls struggled to keep pace.

Mirotic scored 14 points off the bench in the first half to help Chicago build a 51-41 lead at the break. The Pacers trailed by as many as 16 points in the first half before pulling closer with a 9-0 run that included back-to-back baskets by guard Jeff Teague.

Chicago posted a 47-41 advantage in rebounds and outscored the Pacers 14-3 on second-chance points.

"They pounded us on the glass in the first quarter and at the end of the game," McMillan said. "In the end, it's who wants to go for it? We need everybody boxing out and coming back to the paint to get those boards."

NOTES: Bulls G Michael Carter-Williams returned after missing almost two months because of a sprained left wrist and a bruised left knee. The Bulls posted an 11-16 record without Carter-Williams, who was acquired from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for F Tony Snell before the start of the season. ... Pacers G Rodney Stuckey played six minutes and scored two points on Monday after missing five games because of a sore left hamstring. ... Bulls F Doug McDermott did not play because of a bruised left shin that he sustained Sunday against the San Antonio Spurs. ... Pacers G Monta Ellis missed his eighth straight game because of a sore right groin. Ellis, 31, is averaging 9.7 points and 3.7 assists per game.

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