Dec. 06--Nicolas Batum scored 25 points, Cody Zeller and Kemba Walker each added 17 and Spencer Dawes had 14 to lift the Hornets to a 102-96 victory over the Bulls on Saturday night at the United Center.
Jimmy Butler led the Bulls with 25, Derrick Rose had 19 and Pau Gasol added 13 points and 11 rebounds but it wasn't enough as they dropped to 11-6 on the season and 7-2 at home.
Turning point
With the scored knotted at 94-94 in the waning moments of the fourth quarter, Cody Zeller nailed two free throws and after Butler's three-point attempt rimmed out, Walker's basket put the game away.
Key number
25: Consecutive games with a steal for the Bulls' Jimmy Butler, the longest active streak in the NBA.
Tribune player of game
Batum nailed four three-pointers en route to his team-leading 24 points and added 11 rebounds.
Injury update
Nikola Mirotic (concussion) and Kirk Hinrich (hip pointer) returned to the Bulls' lineup.
Mirotic finished with seven points and six rebounds while Hinrich scored four and added two assists.
Mike Dunleavy remained sidelined following offseason back surgery.
The quote
"It was good to see Derrick knock down some shots. He's been working extremely hard at it. Hopefully this will get him going a little bit as we move forward."
--Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg on Rose, who was 8-for-17, including 3-for-6 from three-point range
Up next
Vs. Suns, 7 p.m. Monday; CSN.
