(The Sports Xchange) – – – – Forward Taj Gibson scored 16 points and the Chicago Bulls finished on a 17-4 run to secure a 92-76 victory over the Brooklyn Nets at the United Center on Thursday.
Gibson, a Brooklyn native, returned to a bench role after starting the previous three games in place of Carlos Boozer, who had a nice return from a left calf strain, producing 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Center Joakim Noah, forward Mike Dunleavy and guard Jimmy Butler scored 14 points each for the Bulls, who head into the All-Star break on a three-game winning streak.
Noah grabbed 13 boards and Chicago finished with a 45-27 rebound advantage.
The Bulls (27-25) are two games over .500 for the first time since they were 6-4 back in November.
Brooklyn, who dropped to 24-27, were led by forward Paul Pierce with 15 points.
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Thunder 107, Lakers 103
Forward Kevin Durant scored 31 of his 43 points in the second half, rallying the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 107-103 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center.
Durant, who also had 12 rebounds and seven assists, scored 19 in the fourth quarter as Oklahoma City wiped out a 13-point deficit.
The Thunder (43-12) won their third in a row and their 15th in the last 17 games.
The Lakers (18-35) fell for the seventh consecutive time at Staples Center, setting a franchise mark for consecutive home defeats.
They also are tied with the Sacramento Kings for the worst record in the Western Conference at the All-Star break.