CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) – Lauri Markkanen had 24 points and 12 rebounds, and the Chicago Bulls beat the Charlotte Hornets 119-111 in overtime Friday night, snapping a 10-game losing streak.
Markkanen knocked down half of Chicago’s six three-pointers, and the Bulls (4-20) held on in a back-and-forth game that featured 17 lead changes and 20 ties. Neither team led by more than eight.
Robin Lopez had 19 points and 10 rebounds for Chicago. Kris Dunn scored 20 points, Justin Holiday had 17 and David Nwaba chipped in with 11.
Chicago Bulls guard Kris Dunn, left, drives to the basket past Charlotte Hornets guard Nicolas Batum in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Dec. 8, 2017. Chicago won 119-111. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Dwight Howard led Charlotte with 25 points and 20 rebounds. Kemba Walker scored 20 points and Marvin Williams had 17 for the Hornets.
The Bulls used an 8-0 run to open the fourth quarter, claiming an 83-79 lead to set up a frantic final few minutes. Walker forced overtime with a pair of free throws with 5.3 seconds remaining, but the Bulls took quick control in the extra period. Chicago scored first and Howard tied it with a free throw before the Bulls took the lead for good on a layup by Dunn with 2:35 left.
TIP INS
Bulls: Chicago, despite a significant size disadvantage, outscored the Hornets 56-50 in the paint. … The win was the Bulls’ second over the Hornets. They are 2-20 against the rest of the league.
Hornets: Charlotte was without a pair of big men as Frank Kaminsky and Cody Zeller did not play after picking up injuries in Wednesday’s loss to the Warriors. … Stephen Silas coached the Hornets for the third straight game in place of Steve Clifford, who is out indefinitely with health issues.
UP NEXT
Bulls: Host the Knicks on Saturday night.
Hornets: Host the Lakers on Saturday night.
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Chicago Bulls center Robin Lopez, right, shoots over Charlotte Hornets center Dwight Howard in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Dec. 8, 2017. Chicago won 119-111. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Charlotte Hornets center Dwight Howard, left, drives into Chicago Bulls center Robin Lopez in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Dec. 8, 2017. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Charlotte Hornets center Dwight Howard dunks as Chicago Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen of Finland looks on in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Dec. 8, 2017. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker, right, drives against Chicago Bulls guard Kris Dunn in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Dec. 8, 2017. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
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