Zach LaVine scores 36 points as Bulls beat Blazers 129-121

CHICAGO (AP)— Zach LaVine scored 36 points, DeMar DeRozan had 27 and theChicago Bulls topped Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers129-121 on Saturday night.

NikolaVucevic added 23 points and 11 rebounds as Chicago won for thethird time in four games, erasing a 17-point deficit in the secondhalf. Ayo Dosunmu had 13 points, including a key 3-pointer in thethird quarter.

Lillardscored 40 points for Portland, and Anfernee Simons had 27. But theTrail Blazers looked a little tired in the second half of theirthird game in four nights.

Portland hadwon five of six, including a 124-116 victory at Washington onFriday night after trailing the Wizards 69-51 at halftime.

Lillard andSimons took advantage of the absence of Alex Caruso, Chicago’s bestperimeter defender. Caruso sprained his right foot during Thursdaynight’s 114-98 victory over Charlotte.

Portlandtrailed by one with 8:07 left, but Chicago put it away with a 12-0run. Vucevic made two foul shots to give the Bulls a 117-104 leadwith 5:13 remaining.

Portlandopened an 80-63 lead on Lillard’s fourth 3-pointer with 6:38 leftin the third quarter. But Dosunmu responded with a 3 on the otherend, sparking a 24-4 run for Chicago.

LaVineconverted a three-point play, a conventional 3-pointer and two foulshots to give the Bulls an 87-84 lead with 1:47 left. AndreDrummond’s foul shot sent Chicago into the fourth with a 92-87advantage.

Lillardstarted heating up in the second quarter. The seven-time All-Starwent 7 for 7 at the line while scoring 19 points in the period,helping Portland to a 70-59 lead at the break.

TIP-INS

TrailBlazers: The NBA trade deadline is Thursday, and coach ChaunceyBillups said his playing career comes in handy this time of year.He was often the subject of trade rumors. “You have to learn how tohandle that,” Billups said, “and how to continue to keep playingand not even worry about it.” ... F Justise Winslow remainedsidelined by a left ankle sprain. He hasn’t played since Dec.21.

Bulls: CoachBilly Donovan said Caruso felt much better Friday morning, butthere hadn’t been a lot of change since then. “Still having somediscomfort, but not at the level it was after the game,” Donovansaid. ... F Patrick Williams played more than 31 minutes after hetweaked his right ankle against the Hornets.

UPNEXT

TrailBlazers: Host the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night in the opener ofa five-game homestand.

Bulls: Hostthe San Antonio Spurs on Monday night.