Luol Deng scored a game-high 23 points to guide the Bulls to a 110-94 win over the previously unbeaten Pacers at the United Center. Derrick Rose chipped in with 20 points for Chicago, which improved to 5-and-3 and 4-and-0 at home. Taj Gibson helped out with 15 points and eight rebounds off the bench in the win. Roy Hibbert registered 14 points, 10 boards and three blocks for Indiana, which dropped to 9-and-1 overall. David West and Chris Copeland both scored 13 points in defeat. Chicago shot 50-percent from the field while Indiana was at 40-percent.
The Bulls are at home Monday night against Charlotte.
Craig Smith scored a goal and added two assists as the Predators pummeled the Blackhawks 7-2 at Bridgestone Arena. Matt Cullen, Patric Hornqvist and Shea Weber all had a score and a helper for Nashville, which improved to 9-9-and-2. Marek Mazanec made 39 saves in net for the victors. Patrick Kane and Brandon Pirri both scored in the setback. Corey Crawford gave up five of the seven goals while Nikolai Khabibulin allowed the other two for Chicago, which dropped to 13-3-and-4.
The Blackhawks return to the ice this evening at the United Center against San Jose.
