Gasol has 21 points and 13 rebounds as Bulls beat Thunder on Christmas
Pau Gasol had 21 points (11 in the first quarter) and 13 rebounds, and the Chicago Bulls beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 105-96 on Christmas at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
The Bulls never trailed and led by as many as 18.
Jimmy Butler III had 23 points (16 in the paint) and 4 steals. Butler and Gasol set each other up for 6 baskets and 13 points.
For the Thunder, Kevin Durant had 29 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists. Russell Westbrook had 26 points, 8 assists and a season-high 6 steals but went 1 for 7 from 3. Enes Freedom had 14 points and 13 rebounds off the bench.
The Bulls shot 43.5% from the field and 38.9% from 3 to the Thunder’s 38.5% and 25.0%. The Thunder gave up 16 offensive rebounds, about 5 more than usual for the shots the Bulls missed. The Bulls’ starters outscored the Thunder 33-14 in 12 minutes together. Derrick Rose fouled out.