The Los Angeles Lakers are hosting the Chicago Bulls at the Staples Center to kick off the 2011-12 NBA season. The marquee Opening Day matchup. The game was knotted at 47-47 with just 1:20 left in the second quarter before the Bulls reeled off a solid run to close out the half, just as they did at the end of the first quarter.
Reigning MVP Derrick Rose sank a three-pointer with just over a minute left in the half to put the Bulls up, 50-47. Pau Gasol was fouled and knocked down and made his two free throws to bring the Lakers within one, but Luol Deng knocked in another three, with an assist from Rose. After Kobe Bryant missed a jumper, Carlos Boozer grabbed the rebound and handed it off to Rose. Rose again passed to Deng who went up with a layup and ran into Derek Fisher, getting the bucket and one with just 1.4 second left in the half. He sank the free throw and sent the Bulls into halftime with a 56-49 lead.
Kobe Bryant is leading all scorers with 14 points. He is 6-for-10 in 17 minutes on the floor. Pau Gasol has 10 points and four rebounds. Josh McRoberts is also contributing for Los Angeles, with five rebounds and two assists to go along with four points and is 2-for-3 from the floor.
Rose is 4-for-5 from the floor, including making both three-point attempts. He has 10 points and four assists. Boozer also has 10 points, with three rebounds, two assists and a steal. Deng has 10 points and two assists.
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