Posted: 8:57 PM- CHICAGO -- Now it comes down to one game to determine if the Jazz will head home with a winning record on this pre-Christmas trip.
The Jazz struggled in the fourth quarter Saturday night and fell to the Chicago Bulls 106-98 at United Center. It was the second game of a back-to-back set for the Jazz, who went to double overtime Friday to beat the Pistons. They also endured travel delays just to get to Chicago, flying in Saturday morning after staying overnight in Detroit. Deron Williams was unable to carry them in the fourth quarter, going 0-for-5.
Paul Millsap hit his first eight shots on the way to finishing with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Mehmet Okur had 23 points and 13 rebounds while Williams totaled 19 points and six assists in 34 minutes. Ben Gordon led Chicago with 26 points while Derrick Rose had 24.
Williams endured a tough fourth quarter but reached his boiling point after he drove, drew contact with Andres Nocioni around the basket, but couldn't get a call after missing a layup. The Bulls pushed ahead and took a 98-92 lead as Gordon hit a three-pointer.
Williams was incensed at referee Gary Zielinski as the Jazz headed into a timeout. Zielinski said Nocioni had gone up vertically and not brought his arms down on Williams, who furiously argued otherwise.
The Jazz struggled to get over the hump in the fourth quarter. Millsap was called for an offensive foul against Andres Nocioni in the post. Okur and Andrei Kirilenko missed three-pointers in the last three minutes with the chance to tie the game.
The Jazz (17-12) are now 2-2 on the pre-Christmas trip, with the finale scheduled Tuesday at Milwaukee.
