CHICAGO -- Up 67-65 with 8:38 left in the fourth quarter of a closely fought game, the Chicago Bulls watched the Indiana Pacers drop a decisive 12-2 spurt that eventually led to a 97-80 rout Wednesday night at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
The impressive come-from-behind victory kept the Indiana Pacers as the only unbeaten team in the NBA this season with a 5-0 slate. The Bulls, meanwhile, fell to a surprisingly disappointing 1-3.
All-Star Paul George spearheaded the Pacers onslaught with 21 points, six rebounds and three assists. Lance Stephenson and Luis Scola, who fueled Indy's late surge combined for 27 points while wily veteran (David West added 17 markers and 13 rebounds.
Derrick Rose led the Bulls with 17 points but the former MVP had another poor shooting night, missing 9-of-15 field goals. Rose was held to three second half points and he had twice as many turnovers (4) as assists (2).
Luol Deng also had 17 for Chicago but Carlos Boozer struggled with a meager six points. Kirk Hinrich chipped in 12 for the Bulls, who made only 25 of 73 shots, inclusing a mere 5-for-15 from 3-point range. Chicago also missed four three throws, going 23-of-27 from the charity stripe.
The Pacers' 5-0 start is the franchise's best since the 1971-72 season while the Bulls' latest hiccup is just part and parcel of what has been a disappointing start thus far.
Both team square off again November 16 at the United Center. (CR)
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