Bulls hold off late-charging Cavaliers to cut series to 2-1

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-04-23 13:11

CHICAGO - The Chicago Bulls withstood a late run by the Cleveland Cavaliers to pull off a 108-106 victory on Thursday and reduce their best-of-seven Eastern Conference series deficit to 2-1.

Bulls hold off late-charging Cavaliers to cut series to 2-1

Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James reacts while playing Chicago Bulls during the fourth quarter of Game 3 of their NBA Eastern Conference basketball playoff series in Chicago April 22, 2010. [Agencies]

Derrick Rose scored 31 points for the Bulls, who squandered a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter as LeBron James scored 13 of his 39 points in the final period to lead a furious fightback by the Cavaliers.

Mo Williams's three-pointer brought the Cavaliers within one with three seconds left, and after Chicago made a free throw, Cleveland had the chance to win it but Anthony Parker missed a half-court heave at the buzzer.

The Bulls had built an 11-point advantage after the first quarter, which they extended to 21 points during the third before Cleveland exploded from outside, finishing with a total of 14 three-pointers to stay close.

Kirk Hinrich added 27 points for Chicago.