Gasol does double dip duty to help sink Spurs

Pau Gasol punctuated his big block on LaMarcus Aldridge with a triumphant yell.

The ugly final four minutes went to Gasol and the Chicago Bulls.

Gasol had 18 points, 13 rebounds and three blocked shots, and the Bulls snapped San Antonio's five-game winning streak with a 92-89 victory over the Spurs on Monday night.

Jimmy Butler scored 14 points and reserve Doug McDermott had 12 for Chicago, which was coming off a 104-92 loss at Indiana on Friday night.

Joakim Noah contributed eight points, seven assists and 11 rebounds despite battling foul trouble in the final minutes of the opener of a four-game homestand.

"Everyone contributed tonight in a positive way," Gasol said.

"Jo (Noah) was outstanding and almost had a triple double off the bench with his energy, making plays offensively as well as defensively. Everyone really contributed and it was good to see."

Gasol rejected Aldridge on a drive with 1:06 left and then hit one of two foul shots for a 90-89 lead.

After Manu Ginobili missed for San Antonio, Butler hit two free throws with 10.6 seconds to go.

The Spurs had one last chance, but Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker each missed 3-point attempts in the final seconds. Parker's try was partially blocked by Derrick Rose, who finished with 11 points and six assists.

"We had a play for Kawhi, and an option for Manu, it just didn't work out," Parker said. "That happens sometimes. It was good defense by Chicago."

Leonard had 25 points and eight rebounds for San Antonio, which had won nine of 10. Aldridge added 21 points and 12 rebounds and Parker had 13 points and nine assists.

The Spurs had just one field goal in the final four minutes.

"We are not good offensively and may not be until March," coach Gregg Popovich said.

"Offense will take a while. We have a lot of guys getting used to each other, and how to play together."

The Spurs led 73-70 after three quarters but the Bulls opened the fourth with an 11-2 run.

Tony Snell sparked the surge with a 3-pointer and a driving layup.

Chicago played without guards Kirk Hinrich and Aaron Brooks. Brooks has a left hamstring injury, and Hinrich is recovering from a hip pointer.

"It was one of those nights where everybody that stepped out on the floor not only contributed but contributed in a big way," coach Fred Hoiberg said.

Tim Duncan had 12 rebounds, but San Antonio was hurt by a 51-47 deficit on the boards.

The Spurs went 2-for-14 from 3-point range, compared to 6 for 16 for the Bulls.

(China Daily 12/02/2015 page24)