ATLANTA (AP) — Derrick Rose had 30 points and 10 assists, helping the Chicago Bulls move back in the Eastern Conference lead with a runaway 114-81 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night.
Chicago’s starters sat out the final period after the Bulls set season highs with 41 points in the second quarter and 72 points in the first half. Luol Deng finished with 27 points.
The Hawks, who have lost seven of 10, were denied an opportunity to clinch a playoff spot and absorbed their first home loss to Chicago in four years.
The Bulls, who have won 10 of 11 since losing in Atlanta on March 2, began the night tied with idle Boston for the best record in the East.
Jeff Teague scored 17 of his 20 points in the fourth for Atlanta, which trailed 98-60 after three and also decided to rest its starters in the final period. Josh Smith and Al Horford had 14 points apiece, but Horford departed in the third with a strained hamstring.