MILWAUKEE (AP) - Kirk Hinrich scored a season-high 31 points, including three straight baskets during a critical stretch in the fourth quarter to help the suddenly short-handed Chicago Bulls beat the Milwaukee Bucks 113-104 on Wednesday night.
Luol Deng added 21 for the Bulls, playing with a short bench after trading four players to Sacramento earlier in the day.NBA roundup
Wednesday's action
- Magic can't handle Paul, Hornets
- Kobe, Lakers surge past Warriors
- Suns scorch Clips again, score 142
- Nuggets storm past Sixers in 2nd half
- LeBron, Cavs roll over Raptors
- Bobcats beat Pacers; Granger hurt
- O'Neal's debut a dud for Heat
- Hinrich helps Bulls shoot down Bucks
- Kidd, Mavs get better of Harris, Nets
- Bibby heat up as Hawks top Kings
- Roy helps Blazers hold off Grizzlies
FOXSports.com analysis
- Schrager: T-Mac's disappointments
- Rosen: Thunder's 3 building blocks
- Vecsey: Nash sealed Porter's fate
- Galinsky: NBA Power Rankings
Video
- Hill: Coaches on a short leash
Photos
- NBA All-Star Game
- Slam Dunk Contest
Richard Jefferson tied a season high with 32 points for the Bucks, who brought a three-game winning streak into the game despite playing without injured starters Michael Redd, Andrew Bogut and Luke Ridnour. Charlie Villanueva had 17 points and 12 rebounds.
Chicago acquired center Brad Miller and forward John Salmons from the Kings in exchange for four players, including key backups Andres Nocioni and Drew Gooden. The Bulls also gave up Michael Ruffin and Cedric Simmons in the deal, and Sacramento traded Ruffin to Portland for forward Ike Diogu.
Milwaukee cut Chicago's lead to three after a technical foul was called on Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro, who apparently was irate that a foul wasn't called under the basket after Hinrich missed a layup.
Villanueva hit the free throw after the technical - but Hinrich immediately stole the ball from Ramon Sessions on the ensuing possession and cruised to a layup on the other end, putting Chicago up 91-86.
After a Milwaukee miss, Hinrich hit a 3-pointer to give the Bulls a 94-86 lead with 6:15 left in the game. Hinrich then hit a midrange jumper to extend the lead to 10.
Jefferson answered with a 3-pointer and was fouled clumsily by Joakim Noah. Jefferson hit the free throw to complete the four-point play and cut the Bulls' lead to six, but Thomas forcefully dunked a rebound home on the other end to put Chicago back up by eight.
Jefferson hit another three, but Thomas sprang free for another dunk and Chicago led 102-92 with 3:29 left. Deng later added some insurance with a midrange jumper as the shot clock expired, putting Chicago up 104-94 with 2:10 remaining.
The Bulls' win came despite a short bench situation that got even worse once the game started. Thomas picked up his fourth foul with 8:37 left in the third quarter and Deng picked up his fourth just seconds later.
Noah picked up his fourth foul with 47.4 seconds left in the third quarter, giving the Bulls three key players with four fouls heading into the final period. Noah finally fouled out with 2:38 left in the game.
Notes: Jefferson had scored 25 points or more in four of the Bucks' past five games coming into Wednesday night.
