ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 6 (UPI) -- Derrick Rose flirted with a triple-double Friday and helped the Chicago Bulls pull away down the stretch in a 97-83 victory over Orlando.
The Bulls are 7-1 in the early going, tying them with Miami for the best record in the NBA. Chicago has won six in a row and Orlando lost for the third time in eight games.
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Rose had 21 points to go with 10 assists and eight rebounds. The NBA's defending MVP also blocked a shot and had two steals.
Luol Deng added 21 points and Carlos Boozer had 20 points along with 13 rebounds. Chicago had a mere three-point lead midway through the fourth period before ending the game on a 17-6 burst.
Dwight Howard led Orlando with 28 points and 15 rebounds.
