Sat, 11/21 Bulls @ Nuggets

An offensive burst in the fourth quarter helped the Nuggets pull away for a 112-93 victory. Carmelo Anthony led the way with 30 points, and Chauncey Billups added 21.

After a slow start that featured 4-for-21 shooting and just 14 points in the first quarter, Denver's high-flying attack got on track.

Derrick Rose and Luol Deng lead the Bulls with 28 and 22 points, respectively. Joakim Noah added 10.

Midway through the third, officials whistled rookie Taj Gibson for a technical foul as he became entangled running downcourt. After the call, Joakim Noah spent several seconds talking to Gibson to calm him down.

The game marked the Bulls' third stop on the six-game trip, and players were eager to put the blowout loss to the Lakers behind them.

"We're playing a lot of good teams, so we can't let things snowball," Rose said.

Mindful that the Nuggets had lost Friday night in Los Angeles, the Bulls, even at altitude, pushed the tempo early, getting open looks on the fast break. Deng and Rose each scored 10 points in the first.

And for one quarter, the Bulls picked up where they left off in Chicago on Anthony. He missed 6 of 8 first-quarter shots after going just 8-for-22 in the first meeting.

"They did a little different read on him," Karl said of the first meeting. "Instead of coming early and double-teaming, they forced 'Melo to Noah and Deng stayed big on him. I think 'Melo understands that. That's part of our game plan."

The Bulls led 27-14 after one quarter.

But both Anthony and Billups heated up in the second quarter, scoring nine and 14 points respectively.

Despite shooting free throws for the final 7 minutes, 43 seconds of the second quarter because they pushed Denver into the penalty early, the Bulls couldn't extend their lead. They led 52-49 at the break