Vucevic, Drummond come up big, Bulls beat Spurs 128-104

CHICAGO (AP)— Nikola Vucevic could be playing for another team by the end ofthe week. The same goes for Andre Drummond as the NBA’s tradedeadline approaches.

Despite bigquestions about their futures, the big men delivered in a big wayfor the Chicago Bulls on Monday night.

Vucevic had22 points and 12 rebounds, Drummond set season highs with 21 pointsand 15 rebounds, and Chicago handed San Antonio its ninth straightloss, beating the Spurs 128-104.

“I never takethis game lightly,” Drummond said. “I appreciate every moment thatI am on that floor. I don’t take those moments lightly. When I getthat chance, I just try to play as hard as I can and give it all Ihave.”

Zach LaVinescored 20 points and DeMar DeRozan had 19, helping the Bulls matcha season high with their third straight win. Chicago (26-27) alsogot some payback for a loss at San Antonio in October.

It was tiedat 85 late in the third quarter when Chicago went on a 23-3 runthat buried the team with the second-worst record in the WesternConference. Two more losses and the Spurs will match their worstskid of the season.

BULLSDOMINATE

With hissecond double-double in three games after being used sparingly,Drummond continued to make his case for more playing time. Thetwo-time All-Star had three steals in 21 minutes and scored 10points in Chicago’s game-breaking burst, including back-to-backdunks that delighted the crowd.

“It says alot about him,” said Vucevic, whom the Bulls might deal rather thanrisk losing as a free agent after this season. “It shows how trulyprofessional he is. When you’re not playing, when you’re not in therotation, sometimes it’s harder to stay focused. He’s been doingthat this season.”

DeRozanstarted the decisive run with a three-point play and step-backjumper in the final minute of the third, giving the Bulls afive-point lead.

Chicago hadseven players score in double figures and shot 56.2% despite makingjust 6 of 22 3-pointers. It was the Bulls’ fourth win in five gamesoverall.

KeldonJohnson led San Antonio with 21 points. But the Spurs opened aseason-high, nine-game trip on an all-too-familiar note.

PULLING AWAY

The Bulls ledby 11 after the first quarter, only to have San Antonio get backinto the game in the second. The Spurs led by four late in thethird, before the Bulls steadied themselves.

DeRozan’sspurt at the end of the quarter helped give the Bulls the sparkthey needed.

Coby Whitekept it going when he hit two free throws and fed Drummond for dunkafter stealing a pass in the opening minute of the fourth. DougMcDermott hit a 3 for San Antonio, but the Bulls outscored theSpurs 38-19 in the quarter.

TIP-INS

Spurs: SanAntonio had won four of five against Chicago. ... F Jeremy Sochan(sore lower back) and G Tre Jones (sore left foot) missed theirsecond consecutive game.

Bulls: TheBulls’ 39 first-quarter points were one shy of their season high.... G Alex Caruso (sore left foot) missed his second straight game.Chicago’s best perimeter defender was injured in Thursday’s 114-98victory over Charlotte. “He’s shown some significant strides in avery positive direction,” coach Billy Donovan said.