Bulls, sans Curry, top Cavaliers
LeBron James’ game-tying 3-pointer at the end of regulation could have crushed the Chicago Bulls.
Instead, it made them more determined to keep their winning streak intact.
“Going in the huddle we were not demoralized. We were ready to play more. As a matter of fact they were angry about it. We just came right out and took control right away,” Chicago coach Scott Skiles said.
That the Bulls did, opening overtime with an 11-0 run to defeat James and the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers 102-90 Thursday night for their eighth straight victory. The winning streak is Chicago’s longest of the season and extended the Bulls’ lead over Cleveland in the East to 2 1/2 games.
“We are on a roll here. We are four games out of first. We want to continue to move up,” Skiles said.
Tyson Chandler scored five of his 15 points in overtime and had 14 rebounds. Ben Gordon scored 21 and had a career-high eight assists, while Antonio Davis added 17 points, four in overtime.
Eddy Curry, the team’s leading scorer, remained in Charlotte for treatment of an irregular heartbeat that prevented him from playing Wednesday night as well. But Chandler and Davis, who played 48 minutes at age 36, took up the slack.
“I think he will be fine and we miss him,” Davis said. “We were going in saying, ‘We don’t have Eddy, we have to make up for all he brings to this team.’ “
“You wouldn’t be human if you weren’t worried about it,” coach Skiles said. “He’ll be re-examined tomorrow, so we’ll just have to wait and see.”
The Chicago Tribune reported that Curry spent the game hooked up to a heart monitor having tests performed.
“Right before the game, I felt some lightheadedness and dizziness,” Curry said after the game. “It came out of nowhere, so it really kind of scared me a little bit.”
Curry would not comment on whether his problems were heart-related.
Pacers 114, Heat 108 (OT): Stephen Jackson forced overtime by making a 3-pointer with 0.2 seconds left, then put the Pacers ahead for good on another 3 with 1:54 left to lead Indiana to a victory over Miami in Indianapolis.
It was the third straight overtime game between the teams, and Indiana extended its winning streak over the Heat to 12 in a row.
Jackson finished with 29 points, while Reggie Miller scored 31.
Timberwolves 105, Lakers 96: Kevin Garnett had 23 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, and six teammates scored in double figures as Minnesota won at Los Angeles, for its fifth straight victory, matching a season-high.
The Timberwolves are in ninth place in the West, two games back in the race for the final playoff berth with 10 games remaining. The Lakers, who have lost nine of 10, are 10th in the West and 6 1/2 games off the pace with 11 to play.
Around the league
Philadelphia 76ers forward Chris Webber will miss seven to 10 days after spraining his left shoulder against the Phoenix Suns. Webber was injured Wednesday night in the first half of Phoenix’s 116-87 win over the 76ers. Webber said the Sixers team doctor told him at halftime not to return to the game, but he ignored the advice and played anyway. … Detroit Pistons coach Larry Brown will return to the bench today against the Los Angeles Clippers after a 10-game absence following a procedure related to a previous hip surgery.