CHICAGO — E’Twaun Moore hit a fade-away 3-pointer with 2.1 seconds left to set a new career high in points and give the Chicago Bulls a 108-105 comeback victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night at the United Center.
Thunder guard Russell Westbrook, who led all scorers with 43 points, failed to hit the rim with a long jumper on his team’s previous possession, with center Enes Kanter rebounding the air ball and scoring. The shot clock had run out, which gave the ball back to Moore for his dramatic shot.
Westbrook stepped out-of-bounds on the Thunder’s final possession to seal Chicago’s win to cap a seven-game homestand.
Moore finished with 19 points, Nikola Mirotic led the Bulls with 26 points, Mike Dunleavy had 21 points and center Pau Gasol posted his NBA-leading 40th double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds.
Serge Ibaka scored 25 points and guard D.J. Augustin added 10 points off the bench to join Westbrook in double figures. Westbrook came into the game with four straight triple-doubles and missed out on his fifth by two rebounds and three assists.
After a huge third quarter by Westbrook, who scored 19 of his team’s 29 points, the Thunder led 79-72 starting the fourth. The Bulls used an 8-0 run near the end of the final quarter to pull within 100-99, but couldn’t pull even or go ahead on two possessions
The Bulls made an impressive comeback in the second quarter to cut a 16-point deficit to just 50-48 at the half. A 16-4 run got them within striking distance, and Gasol closed out the first half by tapping in his own rebound at the buzzer.
Westbrook had 17 points and six assists at halftime, aided by shooting 8-of-9 from the free-throw line. Ibaka and Gasol each had 15 points at the break, with Gasol pulling down seven of his rebounds.
Led by Westbrook and Ibaka, the Thunder closed out the first quarter with a 17-6 run in the final six minutes to lead 30-18 starting the second. Westbrook scored 10 points and dished out four assists, while Ibaka played the entire quarter and scored 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting.
Gasol kept the Bulls in it by scoring 10 points in the first, including a crowd-pleasing drop-step dunk with 2:44 left.
NOTES: Craig Sager, the sideline broadcaster known for loud suits and witty banter with coaches and players, worked the game for TNT. It was his first game since being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in April 2014. … Thunder C Steven Adams (right hand fracture) was listed as questionable after the morning shoot-around, but he played Thursday night. … Oklahoma City F Kevin Durant (25.4 ppg) missed his eighth consecutive game with soreness in his right foot. … Thunder reserve G Steve Novak (appendectomy) missed his sixth straight game. … The Bulls played without starting PG Derrick Rose (meniscus surgery), starting SG Jimmy Butler (left elbow sprain) and top reserve PF Taj Gibson (left ankle sprain).