Derrick Rose's layup for Chicago with 8:54 remaining tied the score at 66-66 and C.J. Watson sandwiched a Jason Terry basket for Dallas with a pair of three-pointers to open up a 72-68 lead that the Bulls would not relinquish.  

"A win is a win," Rose said. "Everything that went on in that game was kind of terrible, except the way we played defense."   Rose led all scorers with 26 points and had nine assists, while Kurt Thomas had nine points and 11 rebounds for Chicago.   

"I know I can shoot," said Thomas.

"I just do what's asked to help this team win. Play solid defense, rebound and when the shot is there, shoot it."  

For Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki top scored with 19 and Tyson Chandler recorded a double double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Terry scored seven of his 12 points in the fourth quarter but missed a three-pointer that would have tied the game with 16 seconds left.  

Chicago's Kyle Korver hit a pair of free throws with five seconds left to ice the win.   "Their team finds ways to win," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. "That has kind of defined their season."

In Charlotte, North Carolina: D.J. Augustin scored a career-high 31 points, including four free throws in the final 11 seconds, and Gerald Henderson added three big baskets late, as the Charlotte Bobcats beat the Philadelphia 76ers 100-97 on Thursday.

Avenging an overtime defeat to the 76ers four days earlier, the Bobcats won their second straight game the same night they found out forward Tyrus Thomas would be out up two months with a knee injury.

Thaddeus Young scored 15 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter for the Sixers, who rallied from an eight-point deficit to take the lead before Henderson hit three consecutive jumpers.

Andre Iguodala added 19 points, but missed a free throw and a jumper in the final minute in Philadelphia's second straight loss.

At Portland, Oregon, LaMarcus Aldridge had 28 points and eight rebounds, and Wesley Matthews added 28 points as Portland beat the Los Angeles Clippers to match a season high with its fourth straight win.

The Trail Blazers shot 56 percent from the field and went on an 18-6 run to finish the game. Rudy Fernandez had 17 points and Andre Miller added 15 for the Blazers, who are 11-2 in their last 13 home games.

Eric Gordon had 35 points for Los Angeles despite playing with an injured tendon on the ring finger of his shooting hand. Blake Griffin added 20 points and 18 rebounds, and Baron Davis had 16 points.