Gasol shines as Bulls turn back Spurs

CHICAGO — Pau Gasol punctuated his big block on LaMarcus Aldridge with a triumphant yell.

The ugly final four minutes went to Gasol and the Chicago Bulls.

Gasol had 18 points, 13 rebounds and three blocked shots, and the Bulls snapped San Antonio's five-game winning streak with a 92-89 victory over the Spurs on Monday night (Tuesday in Manila).

Jimmy Butler scored 14 points and reserve Doug McDermott had 12 for Chicago, which was coming off a 104-92 loss at Indiana on Friday night. Joakim Noah contributed eight points, seven assists and 11 rebounds despite battling foul trouble in the final minutes of the opener of a four-game homestand.

''Everyone contributed tonight in a positive way,'' Gasol said. ''Jo was outstanding and almost had a triple double off the bench with his energy, making plays offensively as well as defensively. Everyone really contributed and it was good to see.''

Gasol rejected Aldridge on a drive with 1:06 left, and then hit one of two foul shots on the other end for a 90-89 lead. After Manu Ginobili missed for San Antonio, Butler hit two free throws with 10.6 seconds to go.

The Spurs had one last chance, but Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker each missed 3-point attempts in the final seconds. Parker's try was partially blocked by Derrick Rose, who finished with 11 points and six assists.

''We had a play for Kawhi, and an option for Manu, it just didn't work out,'' Parker said. ''That happens sometimes. It was good defense by Chicago.''

Leonard had 25 points and eight rebounds for San Antonio, which had won nine of 10. Aldridge added 21 points and 12 rebounds, and Parker had 13 points and nine assists.

The Spurs had just one field goal in the final four minutes.

''We are not good offensively, and may not be until March,'' coach Gregg Popovich said. ''Offense will take a while. We have a lot of guys getting used to each other, and how to play together.''

The Spurs led 73-70 after three quarters, but the Bull opened the fourth with an 11-2 run. Tony Snell sparked the surge with a 3-pointer and a driving layup.

Chicago played without guards Kirk Hinrich and Aaron Brooks. Brooks has a left hamstring injury, and Hinrich is recovering from a hip pointer.

''It was one of those nights where everybody that stepped out on the floor not only contributed but contributed in a big way,'' coach Fred Hoiberg said.

AILING DUNLEAVY
Bulls forward Mike Dunleavy Jr. is planning to see two specialists this week after he had a setback in his recovery from offseason back surgery.

Hoiberg said Dunleavy is going to stop his on-court work and focus on rehabbing the injury for about two weeks.

The 35-year-old Dunleavy had lower back surgery on Sept. 25 and was expected to be out eight to 10 weeks. He re-signed with Chicago in July after he averaged 9.4 points and shot 40.7 percent from 3-point range in 63 games last season.

PRAISING KOBE
Gasol said he wants retiring Lakers star Kobe Bryant to have as much fun as possible for the rest of his final season. Bryant announced Sunday (Monday in Manila) that this would be his last year.

Gasol played with Bryant for six-plus seasons, winning consecutive NBA titles in 2009 and 2010.

''He's a hard-working guy that wants to be the best, he doesn't settle for anything less and he's going to try to be and will be exceptional,'' Gasol said.

Popovich also praised Bryant's competitiveness.

''Beyond his ability, he's one of those guys that brought it every night,'' he said. ''He wanted to destroy the opponent every night. Just a fierce competitor for all those years, night after night. Most players don't know what that is and he did it.''

TIP-INS
Spurs: Tim Duncan had 12 rebounds, but San Antonio was hurt by a 51-47 deficit on the boards. The Spurs went 2 for 14 from 3-point range, compared to 6 for 16 for the Bulls. San Antonio went 13-3 in November.

Bulls: Noah played in his 557th game with Chicago, passing Dave Corzine for ninth on the franchise list. The Bulls had an 8-4 record in November.

UP NEXT
The Spurs play the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night (Thursday in Manila); Bulls take on the Denver Nuggets on the same day at home.