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Gasol, Chicago Bulls hold off Phoenix Suns

Pau Gasol tallied 22 points and 14 rebounds and the Chicago Bulls held off the Phoenix Suns, 112-107, at United Center on Saturday.

Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose posted 19 and 16 points, respectively, while Joakim Noah contributed 12 rebounds and eight assists in the win.

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Mike Dunleavy netted 15 points, and Taj Gibson and Aaron Brooks added 12 points apiece off the bench.

P.J. Tucker led six Suns in double figures with 20 points, while Eric Bledsoe filled the stat sheet with 13 points, eight assists and seven rebounds.

Brandon Knight made his Phoenix debut, coming off the bench to post 13 points and five assists. Knight was acquired in a trade from Milwaukee on Thursday.

Phoenix fell for the seventh straight time away from home.

Chicago led by as many as seven in the first half, but the Suns closed the half on a 9-3 run to take a 56-52 lead into the break.

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Gibson hit back-to-back field goals early in the fourth, and Brooks followed with a pair of 3s around a Suns timeout. The Bulls used that 10-0 run to climb back in front.

Brooks layup with 6 1/2 minutes to play pushed Chicagos lead to 98-89, but consecutive baskets from Marcus Morris and Tucker inside of three minutes had Phoenix back within five.

Tuckers deep 3 two minutes later made it a four-point game, and Bledsoe's transition layup had the Suns within 106-104, but Gasols sweeping hook restored Chicagos two-possession lead with 31 seconds to play.

Markieff Morris answered with a contested triple from the top of the key for a 108-107 game. Rose hit a pair from the line, and Bledsoe bricked a deep 3 at the other end. Butler secured the rebound and the game for Chicago.

Game Notes

Chicago opened a seven-game homestand ... The Suns have lost four straight overall ... Chicago is 10-3 in its last three meetings with Phoenix ... Marcus Morris scored 17 for the Suns.

[SportsNetwork.com]

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