Spencer Dinwiddie scored 24 points and the Brooklyn Nets beat the Chicago Bulls 117-111 on Saturday without All-Star guard Kyrie Irving.
Irving entered Saturday sixth in the NBA with 28.5 points per game but sat with a right shoulder injury. Brooklyn was just fine without him with Dinwiddie stepping into the starting lineup.
Zach LaVine scored 36 points, but Chicago shot 35.2% from the field, 23.1% from 3-point range and committed 20 turnovers.
Chicago Bulls guard Tomas Satoransky (31) shoots as Brooklyn Nets guard Joe Harris (12) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Chicago. (AP PhotoMatt Marton)
Joe Harris had 22 points and eight assists for Brooklyn, which snapped a three-game skid. The short-handed Nets are also without Caris LeVert, who’s recovering from right thumb surgery.
The lead changed hands five times in the fourth, and Brooklyn pulled ahead for good on Dinwiddie’s dunk with 8:01 remaining.
Chicago briefly got within three points with just under 3 minutes left, and Lauri Markkanen hit a fading 3-pointer to make it 113-111 with 8.8 seconds remaining. But Harris made two free throws and the Bulls never got the ball with a chance to tie it.
Chicago Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen (24) blocks a pass meant for Brooklyn Nets guard Joe Harris (12) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Chicago. (AP PhotoMatt Marton)
Wendell Carter Jr. added 18 points and 14 rebounds for the Bulls, who trailed by double digits early before using a 23-5 run in the second quarter to take the lead.
Chicago led from then until the fourth quarter but allowed 43 points in the final period.
TIP-INS
Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine (8) passes the ball away from Brooklyn Nets guard Theo Pinson, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Chicago. (AP PhotoMatt Marton)
Nets: Coach Kenny Atkinson said Irving’s status for Monday’s game against Indiana is unclear. … Six Nets scored in double figures.
Bulls: Coach Jim Boylen said he expects F Otto Porter Jr.’s return from a left foot sprain to be a matter of weeks, rather than months. He doesn’t think Porter will need surgery.
UP NEXT
Nets: Return home to face Indiana on Monday.
Bulls: Host Milwaukee on Monday in the second of a four-game homestand.
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