DEMAR DeRozan pumped in 36 points as the Chicago Bulls topped the host Charlotte Hornets (121-109) on Wednesday night.
Zach LaVine racked up 27 points in his second game since returning from a back injury, hitting five 3-point shots.
Nikola Vučević supplied 18 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists and Coby White notched 15 points for the Bulls, who won for just the second time in their last five games.
The Bulls shot 56.1% from the field, bolstered by DeRozan’s 13-for-19 effort. He made three of four 3-pointers.
The Hornets endured their season-high sixth consecutive loss, with the last four of those coming in home games.
Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball notched 33 points, but it took a 12-for-25 outing from the field. Miles Bridges tallied 22 points, Kelly Oubre, Jr. had 19 points and Terry Rozier added 16 points for the Hornets.
Charlotte threatened to make it tight, closing within 98-87 with 8:37 to play. Then the Bulls rattled off the next seven points with DeRozan, LaVine and White scoring.
Ultimately, the Hornets’ shooting woes were too much to overcome. They finished at 42.6% from the field, including 13-for-43 on 3-pointers.
DeRozan had 18 points by half time, with the Bulls holding a 58-45 lead that was defined by a 21-6 run to close the second quarter. Chicago shot 56.1% from the field in the first half, while Charlotte’s shooting woes were magnified by a 6-for-21 rate on 3s.
The Hornets have had offensive dry spells in their recent slump. Another one appeared with scoring only 16 points in the second quarter, when the Bulls rolled up 30 points.
Charlotte responded with 31 points in the third quarter, but the Bulls also scored that many.
The Hornets had another lineup change with Gordon Hayward out with an ankle injury. Oubre moved into the starting lineup. — Reuters
