Aldridge’s season-high 33 help Spurs hold off Bulls

SAN ANTONIO– LaMarcus Aldridge had a season-high 33 points and the San Antonio Spurs held on to beat the Chicago Bulls 119-100 on Sunday after nearly blowing a hot start.

Kawhi Leonard added 25 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. Tony Parker had 13 points and eight assists.

Chicago rallied from a 20-point deficit to lead by three points midway through the third quarter but could not sustain the push, taking its third straight loss.

Parker had nine points in the final quarter while San Antonio improved to 9-4 at home after losing three of its first four at the AT&T Center.

Dwyane Wade led the Bulls with 24 points, including 10 in the final quarter. Jimmy Butler added 19 points, and every Chicago starter except Rajon Rondo scored in double figures. Rondo was held to six points and two assists in 30 minutes.

The Spurs shot 82 percent while taking a 36-25 lead through one quarter. San Antonio doubled its lackluster 17-point opening quarter in its first meeting with Chicago on Dec. 8.

San Antonio looked for Aldridge early, assisting on his first four field goals on a series of mid-range jumpers. Aldridge made his first nine attempts while scoring 20 points in the opening period, his most in any quarter with the Spurs.

Aldridge made his first 11 attempts, finishing 15 for 20 from the field.

With Aldridge rolling, Leonard hit consecutive 3-pointers for a 14-3 lead.

The All-Star duo combined for 41 points in the opening period, but the Bulls kept pace with a balanced scoring effort fueled by their bench.