OKLAHOMA CITY (Sporting Alert) — The Los Angeles Lakers and the Chicago Bulls both scored wins in NBA preseason fixtures on Sunday, Oct. 19.
At STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, the LA Lakers, on the back of Kobe Bryant’s game-high 26 points, and five assists and four rebounds, recorded a 98-91 victory over the Utah Jazz.
Forward Carlos Boozer added 19 points, nine rebounds and six steals, while Ronnie Price dishes out 10 assists and fours steals starting as the point guard again in place of veteran Steve Nash, who continues to be bothered by a sore back.
Alec Burks led the Jazz with 21 points and six boards and Enes Kanter contributed 14 points and seven rebounds in the defeat. Rudy Gobert also pulled down 10 boards for Utah, which fell to 4-2 in preseason after back-to-back defeats at STAPLES Center.
At the United Center, the Chicago Bulls beat the Charlotte Hornets, 101-96 to also moved to 4-2 in preseason.
Kirk Hinrich paced the Bulls in the exhibition win with 26 points on 11 of 14 shooting and Derrick Rose added 17 points on 50-percent (6-12) shooting from the floor.
Newcomer Pau Gasol finished with an all-round performance of 15 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two blocks for Chicago, which won four straight.
Aaron Brooks scored 13 points off the bench in 15 minutes, while Taj Gibson contributed 10 boards, eight points and three blocks in the victory.
Charlotte was led by Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Lance Stephenson, who both scored 14 points.
Marvin Williams had 12 points and nine rebounds, Al Jefferson finished with 12 points and eight boards, while P.J. Hairston ended with 12 points and Kemba Walker, 10 points and seven assists in the defeat for the Hornets.
Elsewhere in preseason, Boston Celtics beat Brooklyn Nets 95-90, Minnesota Timberwolves were 112-94 winners over the Oklahoma City Thunders, and Houston Rockets picked up a 90-83 win over Golden State Warriors.
NBA PRESEASON SCORES
Boston Celtics 95, Brooklyn Nets 90
Minnesota Timberwolves 112, Oklahoma City Thunders 94
Chicago Bulls 101, Charlotte Hornets 96
Houston Rockets 90, Golden State Warriors 83
Los Angeles Lakers 98, Utah Jazz 91
