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