CHICAGO -- Luol Deng fell one assist short of his first career triple-double but the all-around effort was enough to carry the Chicago Bulls to a lopsided 97-73 win over the Utah Jazz Friday night at the United Center.
Deng finished with 19 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists and the Bulls snapped a two-game losing streak and improved to 2-3. At 0-6, the visiting Jazz remained the only winless team in the NBA this season.
The Bulls shot 52.8 percent from the field, but it was their defense that fueled the victory, holding Utah to just 25 of 85 from the field (29.4 percent) and 7-of-20 from 3-points range (35 percent). The Bulls also outrebounded the Jazz, 48-40, and had more assists, 25-21.
"Terrific, terrific, Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters during the postgame press conference. "Great effort defensively. And that's what it's gonna take, " added Thibodeau.
Despite the great effort, the Bulls logged 20 turnovers and Thibodeau said "we have to take that down to 13 or less."
Carlos Boozer had 18 points and 10 rebounds while Derrick Rose chalked 12 points and five assists. Joakim Noah chipped in 14 markers and eight boards and Taj Gibson contributed 12 more.
Gordon Hayward led the Jazz with 15 points, but he missed 10 of 15 shots. Derrick Favors had 10 markers and nine rebounds while Alec Burks and Richard Jefferson combined for 19. (JZ)
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