Moore Guides Bulls To Win Over Kings, NBA Scores

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Published on February 4 2016 6:55 am
Last Updated on February 4 2016 6:55 am

With leading scorer Jimmy Butler on the bench nursing a sore left knee, E'Twaun Moore figured he'd get plenty of chances to pick up the slack for Chicago.

Not only did Moore fill the scoring void created by Butler's absence, he continued to make his case to become a permanent part of the Bulls' starting lineup -- something a few of his high-profile teammates such as Butler and Derrick Rose have already been calling for.

Moore scored a career-high 24 points while starting in place of Butler, and Chicago overcame a sloppy finish to beat the Sacramento Kings 107-102 on Wednesday night.

"I knew our team needed a spark," said Moore, who shot 9 of 16 from the floor. "It was so important to start the game off well and get us going in the right direction. I did that and it helped out a lot."

Pau Gasol added 16 points, 13 rebounds and made two free throws with 4.3 seconds remaining to help the Bulls to their first win in Sacramento in more than four years. Rose had 21 points and nine assists, and Taj Gibson scored 12.

The Bulls led 101-92 with 2:40 left but struggled to close out the Kings. Chicago committed two turnovers and made only one basket down the stretch before pulling out the win at the free throw line.

"We had a couple plays there at the end that hurt us," coach Fred Hoiberg said. "But it feels great to find a way to finish it."

DeMarcus Cousins had 30 points and 11 rebounds in his return to Sacramento's lineup. The All-Star center missed two baskets and two free throws in the final 40 seconds.


Wednesday, February 3 Scoreboard
    
Charlotte 106, Cleveland 97

Atlanta 124, Phladelphia 86
    
Boston 102, Detroit 95

Indiana 114, Brooklyn 100

Golden State 134, Washington 121
    
Oklahoma City 117, Orlando 114

Miami 93, Dallas 90
    
San Antonio 110, New Orleans 97
    
Utah 85, Denver 81

Chicago 107, Sacramento 102

Minnesota 108, Los Angeles 102


Thursday, February 4 Schedule (All Times Central)

New York at Detroit, 6 p.m.

Houston at Phoenix, 8 p.m.

Los Angeles at New Orleans, 8:30 p.m.

Toronto at Portland, 9 p.m.