Utah Jazz vs Chicago Bulls Box Score on Dec 13, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Dec 13, 2017

CHICAGO -- Nikola Mirotic scored 29 points and grabbed nine rebounds, and Robin Lopez scored 16 as the Chicago Bulls earned their fourth consecutive win, 103-100 over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday.

The Bulls, who have not lost since snapping a 10-game losing streak last week, had all five starters reach double figures. Denzel Valentine and Kris Dunn each added 13 points for Chicago, which also got 12 points from Justin Holiday.

Chicago (7-20) has not lost since Mirotic returned after missing the first 23 games of the season with a concussion and facial fractures that he incurred in a fight with teammate Bobby Portis in October. Mirotic made his second straight start as rookie Lauri Markkanen continues to be plagued by back spasms.

Donovan Mitchell scored a game-high 32 points to pace the Jazz, who also got 15 points from Rodney Hood, 14 from Ricky Rubio and 13 from Alec Burks.

The Jazz (13-15) got within 102-100 with 4.5 seconds remaining. With Utah trailing by three in the final minute, Hood misfired on a 3-point attempt. Holiday split a pair of free throws with 3.6 seconds remaining before Mitchell missed a 3-point attempt at the buzzer.

A Portis 3-point field goal gave the Bulls an 82-79 lead in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter before he scored off a Chicago offensive rebound to extend the cushion to seven points.

The Jazz got to within 88-85 with 7:20 remaining before Lopez extended the lead for Chicago, which was on top 49-48 at halftime.

NOTES: Jazz G Rodney Hood returned to the lineup Wednesday after missing the previous seven games due to ankle and Achilles soreness. Hood was under a minutes-played restriction, and he wound up playing 25 minutes. ... Utah F Joe Johnson missed his 21st consecutive game with wrist tendon instability, but he went through the Wednesday shootaround and felt comfortable in one-on-one drills. Coach Quin Snyder said Johnson still can't take contact in practice but is close to returning. ... Jazz F Jonas Jerebko scored nine points Wednesday after he was ill Tuesday. ...Bulls F Lauri Markkanen missed his second game due to back spasms. Markkanen tested his back in pregame warmups and was scheduled to start but was a late scratch when the back flared up.