Hinrich boosts Bulls past Magic
Ex-Jayhawk totals 20 points, 14 assists in victory
Chicago ? Kirk Hinrich hit the open shots. He hit the floor chasing loose balls. He hit his teammates with precise passes.
That combination lifted the Chicago Bulls over the Orlando Magic, 85-76, Tuesday night for their fourth straight victory.
Hinrich scored 20 points and tied a career high by finishing with 14 assists for the third time. The third-year pro out of Kansas University added five steals and finished with his third double-double of the season. He was 8-of-17.
“My mentality was a lot better, I think,” Hinrich said. “I was able to shake off the bad plays I made and keep playing with confidence throughout the game. That’s something I’m trying to work on on the days off – just go out there and play and forget about all the little things that happen.”
Luol Deng tied his season high with 21 points, and Michael Sweetney scored 12 for the Bulls in their first home game since Nov. 12. Andres Nocioni added 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Hedo Turkoglu scored 20, and Dwight Howard added 17 points and 19 rebounds for Orlando, which had its four-game winning streak snapped.
Jameer Nelson had 13 points, but Steve Francis was just 2-of-9 and finished with nine points. He was cut above his right eyebrow after being fouled with 6:33 left in the game, but stayed in. Chicago converted 19 turnovers by the Magic into 27 points.
76ers 107, Blazers 83
Philadelphia – Allen Iverson scored 38 points and Chris Webber had 16 points and 15 rebounds, leading Philadelphia over Portland. Kyle Korver added 16 points for the Atlantic Division-leading Sixers (8-7). Philadelphia had lost four of its previous five games after winning six in a row. Zach Randolph scored 24 and Darius Miles had 13 for Portland, which has lost five of seven.
Spurs 90, Lakers 84
San Antonio – Manu Ginobili scored 15 of his 22 points in the second half for San Antonio, which fended off a late charge by Los Angeles. The win was the Spurs’ sixth straight over the Lakers, who played their first game in San Antonio under coach Phil Jackson since a victory over the Spurs in Game 5 of the 2004 playoffs. Kobe Bryant finished with 25 points, but shot 9-for-33.
Bucks 113, Mavericks 111, OT
Milwaukee – Rookie Andrew Bogut made two free throws late in overtime, then blocked a potential game-tying shot at the buzzer to lift Milwaukee past Dallas.
Kings 110, Bobcats 92
Sacramento, Calif. – Mike Bibby scored 25 points, and Sacramento reached the .500 mark for the first time this season. Bibby scored 25 or more points for the fifth straight game.
Rockets 100, Hawks 85
Houston – Sidelined since Nov. 18 because of a back injury, Tracy McGrady returned to score 25 points, and Houston snapped a seven-game losing streak.
Clippers 93, Timberwolves 84
Minneapolis – Sam Cassell shook off flu-like symptoms to hit a big three-pointer down the stretch, staving off a furious rally by his former team and lifting Los Angeles.
Pacers 84, Jazz 60
Salt Lake City – Jermaine O’Neal got his fifth double-double in the last six games with 21 points and 15 rebounds, and Indiana increased its winning streak over Utah to six games.