Bulls beat the Kings 104-86


Feb 10, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) dribbles the ball against the Sacramento Kings during the second half at the United Center. The Chicago Bulls defeat the Sacramento Kings 104-86. Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

CHICAGO — Led by guard Derrick Rose and forward Pau Gasol, the Chicago Bulls beat the Sacramento Kings 104-86 on Tuesday at the United Center to win their third straight game.

Rose scored 23 points and had seven assists with no turnovers. Gasol notched his NBA-leading 34th double-double with 26 points and 16 rebounds. Reserve guard Tony Snell scored a career-high 24 points for Chicago (33-20) and shot a blistering 9-for-11 from the field, including 4-for-6 from behind the 3-point line. The nine field goals were also a career high for Snell.

Guard Rudy Gay, who missed the previous game with a sore left foot, led Sacramento (18-33) with 24 points. Kings star center Demarcus Cousins was limited to 15 points on 5-for-15 shooting, and guards Ben McLemore and Ray McCallum each scored 11 points.

The Bulls led nearly the whole game and avoided something that’s plagued them at home. They beat a struggling team in Chicago, after coming into the game 7-6 at home against teams with sub-.500 records.

It wasn’t an issue against the Kings, who haven’t won consecutive games since late November and find themselves in turmoil amid multiple reports they will get their third head coach this season following the All-Star break.

Leading by eight at the half, Chicago opened up a big lead in the first nine minutes of the third. The Bulls outscored the Kings 21-8 in that span, led 84-64 starting the fourth and cruised to the win.

Chicago’s three-game win streak is its first in more than a month. The Bulls were 7-10 in the previous 17 games and played 10 of those games on the road. They’re hoping a spate of upcoming home games — eight of the next nine — will spark a hot streak like their 13-2 record in games between Dec. 12 and Jan. 5.

Chicago, which led 57-49 at the half, played the second half without starting guard Jimmy Butler, who left with a right shoulder strain after scoring five points in 22:05.

Prior to the game, Kings interim coach Tyrone Corbin met with reporters minutes after a report on ESPN.com said he’d likely be replaced after the All-Star break by George Karl, a 63-year-old ESPN analyst who last coached the Denver Nuggets.

The Kings reported negotiations with Karl have caused a stir inside the locker room. Cousins, who was unhappy with the Kings’ decision to fire former coach Mike Malone in mid-December, ranted about it Sunday after Sacramento beat the Phoenix Suns 85-83 at Sleep Train Arena.

Prior to the game Tuesday, Cousins released a statement to the media saying he would support Karl if hired. Corbin, meanwhile, said the distractions haven’t helped. The Kings play at the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday in what likely will be Corbin’s final game as coach.

“It’s been difficult,” he said. “It’s been a distraction, but this league is a distraction. Guys have to understand how they have to be together to have a chance to win in this league, and this group of guys are fighting their way through it.”

NOTES: Sacramento Kings interim coach Tyrone Corbin told reporters before the game Tuesday that his sole focus was trying to beat the Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks heading into the All-Star break. Multiple reports on Monday and Tuesday said Corbin will be replaced after the break by 63-year-old George Karl, an ESPN analyst whose 1,131 wins rank sixth among NBA coaches. … Karl and the Kings are reportedly working out the final details of a contract. … Kings G Rudy Gay tested his sore left foot during pregame and decided to play. He missed Sacramento’s 85-83 victory Sunday over the Phoenix Suns. … Kings G Darren Collison (right hip flexor strain) missed his third straight game. … Bulls starting F Mike Dunleavy returned to action after missing 19 straight games with a right ankle injury. … Bulls PG Kirk Hinrich missed his second consecutive game because of turf toe in his left foot.