BOSTON, Jan. 18 (UPI) — Kirk Hinrich saved Chicago in the fourth period Friday and Marco Belinelli’s jumper with 3 seconds left in overtime gave the Bulls a 100-99 win over Boston.
The Bulls survived a dramatic contest that brought them their third straight victory.
It was close throughout the second half with Boston taking a three-point lead on two free throws by Kevin Garnett with 20 seconds left in the fourth period.
Hinrich could make just 1-of-2 from the line for the Bulls with 12 seconds to go, but Chicago’s Joakim Noah stole the ball from Paul Pierce and that set up a jump shot by Hinrich with 2 seconds left that forced overtime.
The Bulls then scored first in the extra period and the lead changed hands six times after that.
Boston moved in front by a point with 12 seconds to go on a jumper by Jason Terry, but Belinelli answered with a turnaround fadeaway shot. A 3-point attempt by Boston’s Courtney Lee failed to go at the buzzer.
Richard Hamilton led Chicago in scoring with 20 points while Carlos Boozer had 19 points and 20 rebounds. Rajon Rondo had a 30-point effort for the Celtics and Garnett added 17 points.
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