Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Ben Gordon scored 23 points, and rookie point guard Derrick Rose had 18 points as the Chicago Bulls ran away with a surprising 100-83 win over the Phoenix Suns.
Gordon sank 8-of-13 from the field -- including 4-of-8 three-pointers -- and Rose sank 8-of-11 shots for the Bulls, who had dropped three of four. Tyrus Thomas had 14 points and seven rebounds, and Luol Deng also scored 14 for Chicago.
Amare Stoudemire scored 26 points and grabbed seven boards for the Suns, who had won three straight. Rookie center Robin Lopez had 14 points and seven rebounds for Phoenix, which played without the services of Shaquille O'Neal. The 36-year-old center sat as part of the club's plan to give him rest throughout the season to keep O'Neal fresh.
Steve Nash had only six points and five assists in 24 minutes for the Suns.
Chicago pulled away in the second quarter and never looked back. The Suns led 17-15 after a Stoudemire dunk with 2:08 left in the first quarter, but a Gordon jumper cued a 19-1 Bulls run that bridged the first two frames.
Gordon scored seven points on the push, including a three in the first minute of the second quarter, and a Drew Gooden jumper closed the run and gave the Bulls a 34-18 lead with 8:34 left in the half. Chicago took a 48-34 lead into the break.
The lead held at 14 points early in the third quarter, until an 18-5 Bulls run turned a comfortable lead into a blowout. Deng scored six points on the push, which Gordon capped with a three-pointer, handing Chicago a 27-point lead, at 72-45, with 3:59 left in the third.
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Phoenix pulled to within 20 points by the end of the third quarter, but did not threaten in the fourth as the Bulls breezed to victory.