Bulls Hand Grizzlies Loss, NBA Roundup

Bulls Edge Grizzlies In Memphis

(Memphis, TN) -- Jimmy Butler scored 26 points to lead the Bulls to a 95-91 win over the Grizzlies at FedExForum. Carlos Boozer had 21 points and 10 rebounds and D.J. Augustin added 10 points and nine assists for Chicago, which has won three out of four on the heels of a four-game skid. Mike Conley recorded 26 points, nine helpers, six boards and six steals to lead the Grizz, who have dropped two-of-three. James Johnson posted 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Zach Randolph had 10 points and 10 boards but shot just 4-of-15 from the field.

The Bulls were without forward Luol Deng once again Monday night. Deng missed his fifth straight game due to a sore Achilles. The 28-year-old has averaged nearly 20 points and seven rebounds this season for Chicago.

Wizards Stone Pistons

(Auburn Hills, MI) -- John Wall posted 29 points, seven assists and four rebounds to lead the Wizards to a 106-99 win over the Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Wall hit 14-of-15 from the charity stripe.  Washington outscored Detroit by 16 in the final quarter to put the game away and get back to .500 through 28 games. Trevor Ariza added 15 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and six steals in the victory. All five Detroit starters scored in double figures paced by Greg Monroe with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Andre Drummond and Brandon Jennings each had double-doubles as the Pistons fell to 14-19.

Mavs Hold Off T'wolves

(Minneapolis, MN) -- Shawn Marion went off for 32 points and six rebounds as the Mavericks held off the Timberwolves, 100-98, at the Target Center. Dallas led by 19 going into halftime. Dirk Nowitzki posted 16 points and Brandon Wright chipped in 14 off the bench. The Mavs have won three-of-four. Kevin Love scored a game-high 36 points with 11 rebounds and four assists in the loss. Minnesota outscored Dallas by 19 in the third quarter to make things interesting. The T'wolves have lost four-of-five.

Pelicans Sneak Past Blazers

(New Orleans, LA) -- LaMarcus Aldridge missed a mid-range jumper as time expired to seal the Trail Blazers, 110-108, loss to the Pelicans at New Orleans Arena. Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans knocked down a two-point "J" over Mo Williams with just over a second left to answer Damian Lillard's game-tying three.  Jrue Holiday led the way for New Orleans with 31 points, 13 assists and seven rebounds. Fifteen of Holiday's points came in the fourth quarter. Anthony Davis added 27 points, 12 boards and five blocks for New Orleans, which has won three of four. Aldridge tallied 28 points and eight rebounds in the loss.  Lillard paced Portland with 29 points and five assists. The Blazers lost their second straight game for the firs time this season.

Heat Nip Nuggets In Denver

(Denver, CO) -- LeBron James compiled 26 points, 10 assists and six rebounds as the Heat nipped the Nuggets 97-94 at the Pepsi Center. Chris Bosh donated 17 points and Ray Allen posted 13 points and seven boards for Miami, which has won eight of its last nine. Dwyane Wade had 12 points and Mario Chalmers chipped in with 10 points and nine assists in the victory. Ty Lawson netted 26 points to go with seven helpers for the Nuggets, who have lost a season-high seven straight. J.J. Hickson had 12 points and 11 boards, while Wilson Chandler and Darrell Arthur both added 13 points in the setback.

Jazz Dump Bobcats

(Salt Lake City, UT) -- Trey Burke posted a game-high 21 points with five assists to help the Jazz get by the Bobcats, 83-80, in Salt Lake City. Marvin Williams and Derrick Favors each added 13 points, while Alec Burks chipped in 14 off the bench. Utah is 3-3 in its last six games. Al Jefferson tallied a double-double in the loss with 18 points and 10 rebounds, but he struggled from the field shooting 8-of-23. Kemba Walker also scored 18 and Gerald Henderson had a team-high 19 for Charlotte, which has lost four of five.

Suns Smoke Clippers

(Los Angeles, CA) -- The Suns made a statement with a 107-88 romp of the Clippers at the STAPLES Center behind 26 points, eight assists and five steals from Goran Dragic. Gerald Green nailed five from behind the arc on his way to 21 points for Phoenix, which moved to a half-game behind Los Angeles for first in the Pacific Division.  The Suns are 19-11. Blake Griffin and Chris Paul combined to shooting 10-of-29 from the field in the loss. Griffin and Jamal Crawford each posted 15 points, while DeAndre Jordan grabbed 19 rebounds. LA is 21-12.

Monday, December 30 Scoreboard

NBA

Washington Wizards 106, Detroit Pistons 99

Chicago Bulls 95, Memphis Grizzlies 91

Dallas Mavericks 100, Minnesota Timberwolves 98

New Orleans Pelicans 110, Portland Trail Blazers 108

Miami Heat 97, Denver Nuggets 94

Utah Jazz 83, Charlotte Bobcats 80

Phoenix Suns 107, Los Angeles Clippers 88

Tuesday, December 31 Schedule (All Times Central)

NBA

12:00 p.m. - Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics

2:00 p.m. - Cleveland Cavaliers at Indiana Pacers

4:00 p.m. - Golden State Warriors at Orlando Magic

6:00 p.m. - Brooklyn Nets at San Antonio Spurs

6:00 p.m. - Sacramento Kings at Houston Rockets

7:00 p.m. - Portland Trail Blazers at Oklahoma City Thunder

7:00 p.m. - Toronto Raptors at Chicago Bulls

9:30 p.m. - Milwaukee Bucks at Los Angeles Lakers