NBA Game Summary - Utah at Chicago

Chicago, IL (Basketball News) - Luol Deng scored 21 points and Kirk Hinrich added 19 with 11 assists, as Chicago edged Utah, 103-98, at the United Center.

Andres Nocioni added 15 points and Chris Duhon netted 12 for the Bulls, who have won two straight games.

"The bench again was very good," said Chicago head coach Scott Skiles. "I thought Luol Deng, in particular, stood out."

Mehmet Okur poured in a career-high 33 points and grabbed 17 rebounds while Gordan Giricek contributed 14 points for the Jazz, who have lost two of their last three contests.

"I felt good out there tonight," said Okur. "My teammates helped create a lot of open shots for me."

Chicago led by two points late in the first quarter before closing the period with a 9-0 run, keyed by five from Deng, to forge ahead 32-21 after one.

The Bulls widened the margin to 38-23 early in the second quarter courtesy of Othella Harrington’s basket with around 10 minutes left in the half. The cushion grew to 16 points on Ben Gordon’s hoop moments later and Chicago eventually carried a 55-45 lead into the locker room.

Utah did pull within three points at 72-69 on Deron Williams’ jumper late in the third, but the Bulls enjoyed a 79-71 edge after 36 minutes.

The Jazz got as close as two points on several occasions in the fourth quarter, but never got over the hump before suffering the five-point loss.

Utah played most of the game without All-Star forward Andrei Kirilenko, who left in the second quarter with a sprained left ankle. He had four points.