Bulls Edge Spurs, 92-89
CHICAGO (AP) -- Pau Gasol had 18 points, 13 rebounds and three blocked shots, and the Chicago Bulls snapped San Antonio's five-game winning streak with a 92-89 victory over the Spurs on Monday night.
Jimmy Butler scored 14 points and reserve Doug McDermott had 12 for Chicago in the opener of a four-game homestand. Joakim Noah contributed eight points, seven assists and 11 rebounds in 24 minutes off the bench.
Gasol blocked LaMarcus Aldridge on a drive with 1:06 left, and then hit one of two foul shots on the other end for a 90-89 lead. After Manu Ginobili missed for San Antonio, Butler hit two free throws with 10.6 seconds left.
The Spurs had one last chance, but Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker each missed 3-point attempts in the final seconds. Parker's try was partially blocked by Derrick Rose, who finished with 11 points and six assists.
Leonard had 25 points and eight rebounds for San Antonio, which had won nine of 10. Aldridge added 21 points and 12 rebounds, and Parker had 13 points and nine assists.
AILING DUNLEAVY
Bulls forward Mike Dunleavy Jr. is planning to see two specialists this week after he had a setback in his recovery from offseason back surgery.
Coach Fred Hoiberg said Dunleavy is going to stop his on-court work and focus on rehabbing the injury for about two weeks.
The 35-year-old Dunleavy had lower back surgery on Sept. 25 and was expected to be out eight to 10 weeks. He re-signed with Chicago in July after he averaged 9.4 points and shot 40.7 percent from 3-point range in 63 games last season.
PRAISING KOBE
Gasol said he wants retiring Lakers star Kobe Bryant to have as much fun as possible for the rest of his final season. Bryant announced Sunday that this would be his last year.
Gasol played with Bryant for six-plus seasons, winning consecutive NBA titles in 2009 and 2010.
"He's a hard-working guy that wants to be the best, he doesn't settle for anything less and he's going to try to be and will be exceptional," Gasol said.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich also praised Bryant's competitiveness.
"Beyond his ability, he's one of those guys that brought it every night," he said. "He wanted to destroy the opponent every night. Just a fierce competitor for all those years, night after night. Most players don't know what that is and he did it."
UP NEXT
Bulls: Host the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night.
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