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Last Updated: May 9th, 2011 - 08:37:04 |
Kirk Hinrich scored 23 points and Eddy Curry shook off a groin injury to add 14 in the fourth quarter Tuesday night, sending the surging Chicago Bulls past the Denver Nuggets 111-107 for their 11th win in 12 games.
Denver broke Chicago's string of holding opponents under 100 points at 26 games, but couldn't pull out the victory despite getting 32 points _ 15 in the fourth quarter _ from Carmelo Anthony.
With their fourth straight win in five nights, the Bulls moved two games over .500 after an 0-9 start.
Before the game, Denver general manager Kiki Vandeweghe met with George Karl about the team's coaching position, but the job was not offered to Karl.
"We had a conversation. That's about it," Vandeweghe said at halftime. "The meeting was private. I have talked to a few other people."
Denver is 4-9 since interim coach Michael Cooper replaced Jeff Bzdelik, who was fired after a 13-15 start.
Nene, returning from a four-game suspension, scored 19 for the Nuggets. Ben Gordon had 18 for the Bulls and Andres Nocioni sealed the win with two free throws with 12 seconds to go.
Curry, averaging 15.7 points, did not start because of a sore left groin and went scoreless in two first-half minutes.
He started the second half and scored two points before leaving again after less than four minutes. But he re-entered to start the fourth and right away made his presence felt with 11 quick points on a three-point play, three dunks and a hook to help the Bulls take a 96-88 lead.
Anthony had six points in a 7-0 Denver run that cut it to one with just under four minutes left. Curry hit a hook and Tyson Chandler made two free throws as Chicago went up by five.
Anthony hit a 3-pointer with 51 seconds left to bring Denver to 105-102. Gordon hit a 3-pointer 20 seconds later for Chicago, but Anthony hit another one from beyond the arc to make it 109-107 with 26 seconds to go.
The Bulls were called for a five-second inbound violation, and this time Anthony's 3-pointer for the lead was long before Nocioni made his free throws.
Notes:@ Nene started in place of Marcus Camby, his first game since serving a suspension for fighting in a game against the Timberwolves on Jan. 14. Camby was sidelined by a sprained left ankle. ... Denver's Kenyon Martin, bothered by cramps, left with 2:05 remaining.
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