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A20 SPORTS
Tuesday 4 december 2018

Lakers rout Suns 120-96

for 3rd straight victory

In this Oct. 21, 2017, file photo, Chicago Bulls head coach
Fred Hoiberg, left, and his assistant Jim Boylen, right, look on
from the sidelines during the first half of an NBA basketball
game against the San Antonio Spurs, in Chicago.
Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (23) dribbles next to Phoenix Suns' Trevor Ariza (3) during the
Chicago Bulls fire second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Los Angeles.
Associated Press
coach Fred Hoiberg;

Boylen takes over By The Associated Press day from a one-game ab- Portland.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kyle sence due to an injured left The Spurs held a practice
Kuzma scored 23 points toe after stubbing it on his Saturday morning follow-
CHICAGO (AP) — The skidding Chicago Bulls fired and LeBron James had 22 hotel bed during the Suns' ing consecutive losses of
coach Fred Hoiberg on Monday and promoted associ- before both sat out the trip to Los Angeles to play 39 points and 31 points and
ate head coach Jim Boylen in hopes of lifting the team fourth quarter of the Los the Clippers last Wednes- the team responded with
from the bottom of the standings. Angeles Lakers' third home day. its highest point total in two
The Bulls have been hit hard by injuries this season, but at victory in four days, 120-96 76ERS 103, GRIZZLIES 95 weeks.
5-19 only two teams have worse records. over the Phoenix Suns on PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jim- LaMarcus Aldridge add-
"Decisions like this one are never easy to make, how- Sunday. my Butler continued his run ed 29 points and Rudy
ever I felt this was the right choice for our organization Brandon Ingram scored 15 as Philadelphia's stretch-run Gay had 18 as the Spurs
at this time," said Jim Paxson, the team's executive vice points and JaVale McGee shooter, scoring 13 of his 21 snapped a two-game skid.
president of basketball operations. "After a thorough had 14 points and eight points in the fourth quarter Lillard scored 37 points for
evaluation, I elected to make this move with the overall rebounds in three quarters against Memphis. Portland, and C.J. McCol-
development of our team in mind. As a team, I believe of work for the Lakers. They Ben Simmons, who had 19 lum had 24.
it is imperative that we make unfaltering strides in the have won 12 of 16 since points and 12 rebounds, PELICANS 119, HORNETS 109
right direction and build the right habits to help put our their 2-5 start to James' first ran up from behind on Mar- CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) —
players in the best position to evolve not only now, but season on the West Coast. Shon Brooks and poked the Anthony Davis had 36
into the future." Michael Beasley scored a ball free for a steal. That led points, 19 rebounds and
The Bulls have been riddled by injuries all year. Denzel season-high 14 points as to a pair of free throws for eight assists to help New
Valentine (ankle), Kris Dunn (knee) and Bobby Portis the Lakers fell behind by Butler that made it 95-89. Orleans beat Charlotte.
(knee) have missed significant time and forward Lauri 17 points in the first quarter, Butler buried a turnaround Jrue Holiday added 19
Markkanen didn't make his season debut until this past yet still made easy work of jumper for a 97-89 lead that points and eight assists.
weekend because of an elbow injury. last-place Phoenix. sealed the win. The Pelicans won for only
The 7-foot Markkanen is perhaps the centerpiece of Chi- Richaun Holmes scored 15 JJ Redick continued his the second time in seven
cago's rebuilding plan, but Hoiberg won't be around to points, and Josh Jackson late-career resurgence games. Frank Kaminsky led
see it through. He finishes his tenure in Chicago, where and Trevor Ariza scored 13 with 24 points for the Six- the Hornets with a season-
he played for four seasons and had a long history with apiece for the Suns. They ers, and Joel Embiid had high 19 points, although
general manager Gar Forman, with a record of 115-155 have lost five straight to fall 15 points and 14 rebounds. he struggled with guarding
(.426) and a single playoff appearance, when the Bulls to 4-19. Mike Conley scored 21 Davis. Kemba Walker had
were ousted in the first round by Boston in 2017. Suns star Devin Booker points for Memphis. 13 points on 5-of-16 shoot-
Hoiberg was named Chicago's head coach in June scored six points before The Sixers are 13-1 at home ing.
2015 after spending five seasons at Iowa State, where leaving with a strained and 8-2 since acquiring MAVERICKS 114, CLIPPERS
the former player was nicknamed "The Mayor." Hoiberg hamstring in the second Butler from Minnesota. 110
went 115-56 at Iowa State, including four straight NCAA quarter. Booker hurt his leg SPURS 131, TRAIL BLAZERS DALLAS (AP) — Harrison
Tournament appearances and back-to-back Big 12 while chasing a loose ball 118 Barnes scored 30 points,
tournament titles. out of bounds, going imme- SAN ANTONIO (AP) — De- and Dorian Finney-Smith
He replaced Tom Thibodeau, who was fired after five diately to the locker room. Mar DeRozan had a sea- tipped in a rebound with 35
seasons, and the hope was that the free-wheeling style Booker missed three games son-high 36 points and San seconds remaining to give
he used with the Cyclones would work in the NBA and in October after straining Antonio overcame a big Dallas the lead for good
that he would fare better than another former Iowa his hamstring in the Suns' game by Damian Lillard, against Los Angeles.q
State coach, Tim Floyd, who went 49-190 record in first game against the Lak- rebounding from a pair
three-plus seasons with the Bulls.q ers. He was returning Sun- of lopsided losses to beat