Bulls Beat Lakers, Say Goodbye To Bryant

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Published on February 22 2016 6:41 am
Last Updated on February 22 2016 6:41 am

CHICAGO -- Pau Gasol said it was special to face Kobe Bryant one last time on Sunday night. And even better to win the final matchup against his former teammate.

"Without a question," Gasol said. "It's always better to win."

Derrick Rose and E'Twaun Moore had 24 points apiece to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 126-115 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Bryant's final game at the United Center.

Moore, who was 10 for 14 from the field, tied his career high. Gasol had 21 points, Mike Dunleavy and Bobby Portis each scored 17 and Doug McDermott added 16 as the Bulls won their second straight.

Bryant finished with 22 points on 8-for-20 shooting in 27 minutes.

"Not many players have played 20 years in this league, especially as aggressive as he plays every night," Gasol said.

The Bulls played a video tribute to Bryant as the Lakers' starters were introduced. Rose referred to Bryant as his generation's Michael Jordan, and the salute ended with Gasol introducing his former Los Angeles teammate.

Bryant received a standing ovation and the crowd broke into a "Kobe! Kobe!" chant.


Pacers 105, Magic 102

The Indiana Pacers overcame their own mistakes and missed shots to get another big win.

Monta Ellis scored 21 points and Paul George added 20 to help the Pacers beat the Orlando Magic 105-102 on Sunday night for their fourth win in five games.

Indiana had 17 of its 21 turnovers in the first half, shot just 9 for 25 in the fourth quarter, and put the Magic in the bonus free throw situation for the final 10 minutes of the game.

Still, the Pacers found a way to hold on for the win, getting 10 points from Ellis in the fourth quarter, 15 from George in the second half, and playing excellent defense in the final seconds.

"What I love about this team and the way we're playing now is I really trust our defense," Indiana coach Frank Vogel said. "We were getting stops and giving ourselves a chance to win. These guys rose to the challenge."

CJ Miles and Ian Mahinmi had 14 points apiece for the Pacers and Jordan Hill added 13 points and 10 rebounds.


Sunday, February 21 Scoreboard
    
New Orleans 111, Detroit 106

Cleveland 115, Oklahoma City 92

Boston 121, Denver 101

San Antonio 118, Phoenix 111

Charlotte 104, Brooklyn 96

Indiana 105, Orlando 102
    
Toronto 98, Memphis 85
    
Dallas 129, Philadelphia 103

Chicago 126, Los Angeles 115

Portland 115, Utah 111


Monday, February 22 Schedule (All Times Central)

Detroit at Cleveland, 6 p.m.

Indiana at Miami, 6:30 p.m.

Toronto at New York, 6:30 p.m.

Golden State at Atlanta, 7 p.m.

Los Angeles at Milwaukee, 7 p.m.

Boston at Minnesota, 7 p.m.

Phoenix at Los Angeles, 9:30 p.m.