Chicago Bulls slide by Washington Wizards

A pair of hustle plays led to a Chicago Bulls win Tuesday night.

It's something they'll have to rely on without two of their stars for the next month.

Nikola Mirotic had 23 points and eight rebounds, Pau Gasol added 20 points and 10 rebounds and the Bulls held off the Washington Wizards for a 97-92 victory.

With Chicago clinging to a 94-91 lead in the final minute, Aaron Brooks lost the ball while going up for a reverse, but Mirotic won the race for a loose ball along the sideline and drew a foul with 35.5 seconds remaining.

He sunk 1-of-2 foul shots to extend the margin to four and Otto Porter split a pair at the other end to again cut the deficit to three.

The Wizards elected to play the Bulls' ensuing offensive possession out and Tony Snell was off the mark on a right wing 3-pointer, but Gasol got position for an offensive rebound and was fouled.

He made both free throws to seal the triumph with 8.5 ticks on the clock.

[SportsNetwork.com]