Ben Gordon scored 35 points and top-overall draft pick Derrick Rose posted 16 points, nine rebounds, six assists and zero turnovers, as Chicago outlasted struggling Dallas, 98-91, at the United Center.
Gordon, inserted in the starting lineup for his scoring prowess, drained 12- of-21 shots, made two treys, and converted on 9-of-10 free throw attempts in the victory, snapping Chicago's two-game losing streak.
"He was hot, so we kept calling his number. Ben can really give you some points," Chicago head coach Vinny Del Negro said.
Rose kept feeding the red-hot Gordon the ball, while also making 7-of-17 shots and playing a time-high 41:51. Luol Deng scored 20 points with nine rebounds and Tyrus Thomas added energy off the bench with eight points and eight rebounds.
Josh Howard and Dirk Nowitzki struggled with Thomas' length and Deng's defense, making 12-of-40 shots combined in defeat. Howard needed 23 shots to score 21 points with 11 rebounds, while Nowitzki made 5-of-17 shots for 12 points to go along with six rebounds and five assists.
Erik Dampier notched a double-double with 16 points and 18 rebounds, and Jason Terry scored 16 points. Dallas grabbed 16 offensive rebounds, mostly due to the fact that it shot just 36.8 percent from the floor and made only 4-of-15 from beyond the arc.
The Mavericks lost their fourth straight contest after leading by 10 points after one quarter.
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Trailing 41-26, Chicago scored seven quick points capped by Gordon's layup. Four straight points from Deng brought the Bulls back within one point at 46-45 with 2:03 to go.
The Bulls led 51-50 at the half.
Chicago tallied seven straight points again early in the third quarter to increase the lead. A Rose driving layup and a pair of free throws from the Memphis product made the score 64-55.
The Mavericks moved within four points twice after that point, but Chicago held a 78-70 lead heading into the final period.
A Larry Hughes trey and Thomas putback gave the Bulls a double-digit advantage at 90-79, and the Bulls held on from there.
