Bulls hold off Denver Nuggets, 106-101

Derrick Rose scored 13 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter, and the Chicago Bulls beat the Denver Nuggets, 106-101, on Thursday night at Chicago.

Jimmy Butler scored 26 for Chicago, and Pau Gasol added 17 points, nine rebounds and a career-high nine blocks.

The late surge by Rose lifted the Bulls to their 11th win in 13 games. The 2011 NBA most valuable player missed his first eight shots, including all seven in a scoreless first half, but the point guard dominated down the stretch, coming up with one big basket after another.

Wilson Chandler led Denver with 22 points. Ty Lawson scored 20 and Arron Afflalo had 19. Kenneth Faried added 18 points and 19 rebounds, but the Nuggets fell to 4-12 on the road.

Sacramento 110, at Minnesota 107: Rudy Gay had 21 points, six rebounds and five assists, and the struggling Kings handed the Timberwolves their 10th straight loss.

DeMarcus Cousins had 19 points and seven rebounds after being ejected one night earlier, and the Kings shot 54%, while each of their starters scored in double figures. Darren Collison scored 21 points and Derrick Williams had 17 points, including a big three-pointer down the stretch.

Andrew Wiggins had 27 points and nine rebounds, but the Timberwolves couldn’t take advantage when Cousins and Gay both fouled out in the fourth quarter. Troy Daniels’ three-point attempt at the buzzer was blocked.

Gorgui Dieng added 15 points and 10 rebounds for Minnesota.