CHICAGO — Rookie forward Nikola Mirotic scored 25 points with nine rebounds off the bench, and the Chicago Bulls cruised to a 103-86 win against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night.
Forward Mike Dunleavy added 21 points for Chicago, which never trailed after the first quarter. Forward Pau Gasol contributed 19 points and 12 rebounds for the Bulls (41-28).
Forward Solomon Hill scored 13 points to lead Indiana. Center Roy Hibbert added 12 points for the Pacers (30-37), who dropped their third consecutive game after winning the previous seven.
Chicago closed the game on a 17-6 run to snap a two-game losing streak. Center Joakim Noah pulled down 14 rebounds to help the Bulls earn a 52-38 advantage on the glass.
Mirotic, 24, has averaged 20.8 points in his past 10 games to help the Bulls overcome a slew of injuries to key players such as guard Derrick Rose, guard Jimmy Butler and forward Taj Gibson.
The Pacers erased a double-digit deficit to pull within three points in the third quarter, but Chicago closed the quarter on a 7-2 run to grab a 76-68 lead entering the final 12 minutes. Solomon Hill kept the Pacers within reach by scoring 11 points on 4-for-4 shooting during the third quarter.
The Bulls established a 51-41 halftime lead after leading by as many as 14 points during the second quarter. Dunleavy made five of seven shots from beyond the arc to finish the half with 19 points, and Mirotic provided a defensive highlight when he stole a pass from Pacers center Ian Mahinmi and dribbled the length of the court for a fast-break slam dunk.
Chicago led 24-22 at the end of a back-and-forth first quarter that included two ties and five lead changes. Pacers guard C.J. Miles hit a 3-pointer from the right wing to punctuate a 9-2 run that put Indiana on top 15-13, but Bulls guard Aaron Brooks answered with a pair of layups.
NOTES: Bulls G Jimmy Butler (elbow) and F Taj Gibson (ankle) did not play, but both could be back late this week or early next week. Butler and Gibson took part in a full practice Tuesday for the first time since their injuries. … Pacers F Paul George remained inactive as he continues to recover from a broken right leg. George returned to practice in late February, but his status is uncertain for the rest of the season. … Bulls G Derrick Rose (knee) missed his 12th consecutive game. Rose has taken part in some non-contact drills during practice, which coach Tom Thibodeau described as “a good step.” … Indiana coach Frank Vogel has used 14 starting lineups this season.