Hughes Last Second Shot Lifts Chicago Past Utah 101-100

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap

Chicago Bulls veteran guard Larry Hughes hit an outside shot at the buzzer Monday night as his team went out to Utah and defeated a depleted Utah Jazz roster 101-100. Hughes recovered the rebound on a missed shot by the “Rook” point guard Derrick Rose and took the shot as time expired giving the Bulls the win. Both teams shot over 50% from the floor for the game, Chicago at 51.3% (41-80) and Utah at 51.2% (43-84.)

This game featured a competitive first quarter, and then momentum switched sides during the second and third. Chicago would be on top at the end of the first by the paper thin margin of 28-26. In the second quarter the Bulls would start to pull ahead, the Jazz would get back to within 2 points, and the team from the “Windy City” would pull ahead again. Chicago led at the half 53-45. The lead would go back and forth about midway through the third quarter, but it would be Utah leading at the end of the period by a score of 75-72.

The Bulls appeared to be taking over, as Derrick Rose hit a pair at the line making it 87-81with 5:37 left in the game. The Jazz answered back tying the game at 87-87 when Ronnie Price hit an outside jumper with 3:51 in the period. The lead kept changing hands with almost every possession, but with 11 seconds to play C.J. Miles drove the lane and put the ball up and in to give Utah a 100-99 lead. Rose attempted an outside shot, but missed. Hughes would grab the rebound and hit the game winning shot at the buzzer.

Derrick Rose scored 25 points, 9 assists, 1 steal, 1 rebound, in the Chicago victory. Drew Gooden added 18 points, 6 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal, Hughes had 16 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal. Ben Gordon contributed 15 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists.

Mehmet Okur led all players with 26 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals. Paul Millsap in the starting lineup, took advantage of the extra minutes and recorded a double-double, 21 points, 10 boards, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block. Ronnie Brewer had 18 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds, 3 steals, C.J. Miles put in 12 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal. Ronnie Price scored 11 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals. Chicago getting closer to even after the win with a 7-8 record, Utah is now 9-6.

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