FINAL
Bulls 121, Kings 115
CHICAGO -- The Kings scored a season high against one of the best defensive teams in the NBA, but allow the Bulls to shoot 52.4 percent in losing their second game in a row.
DeMarcus Cousins led the Kings with 28 points and 17 rebounds. Tyreke Evans had 27 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Marcus Thornton added 23 points.
Luol Deng led the Bulls with 23 points and 11 assists. Joakim Noah had a season-high 22 points and 11 rebounds.
THIRD QUARTER
Bulls 88, Kings 77
CHICAGO -- The Kings were within two three times in the third but were outscored 14-9 to close the third after DeMarcus Cousins picked up his fourth foul with 4:07 left in the quarter.
Cousins didn't appear to touch Joakim Noah on the play that sent him to the bench and very well might have put the game out of reach for the Kings.
Cousins 19 points and 11 rebounds but the Bulls were able to extend their lead behind Luol Deng's 12 points in the quarter. Deng has 19 points tonight to go with nine assists.
The Bulls are shooting 51.5 percent while the Kings are above their season average but sill struggling at 44.1 percent.
HALFTIME
Bulls 56, Kings 52
CHICAGO -- The Kings haven't slowed the Bulls offensively, even without Derrick Rose. The Bulls are shooting 51.1 percent, but only lead by four thanks to DeMarcus Cousins and some solid bench play.
Cousins has 16 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and a blocked shot. Donte' Greene came off the bench to make all four of his shots for 10 points, including a three pointer to bring the Kings within four at halftime.
The Kings need more from the backcourt to pull this game out. Tyreke Evans and Marcus Thornton have combined for 11 points on 4-of-12 shooting.
Carlos Boozer leads the Bulls with 12 points. Joakim Noah has 10 points and seven rebounds for the Bulls.
FIRST QUARTER
Bulls 27, Kings 24
CHICAGO -- DeMarcus Cousins is off to a good start with nine points, eight rebounds and a blocked shot. The Kings haven't been able to take advantage of their center's efforts after shooting 41.7 percent.
The Kings starting lineup played the entire first quarter. The Bulls used one sub, Taj Gibson.
Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer each had eight points for the Bulls.
Kings rookie Jimmer Fredette (stomach illness) is dressed for the game but odds are he will not play.
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