NBA: Chicago Bulls' Derrick Rose scores winner on the buzzer
Last Updated: 09/05/15 8:28am
Derrick Rose sank a three-pointer right on the buzzer as the Chicago Bulls secured a 99-96 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers to edge ahead 2-1 in their Eastern Conference semi-final playoff series.
Rose finished with 30 points and seven assists to pace the Bulls, while guard Jimmy Butler contributed 20 points and eight assists.
The score was tied with three seconds remaining when Bulls forward Mike Dunleavy found Rose, who dribbled to his right and drilled a deep 3-pointer off the glass.
LeBron James had 27 points, 14 assists and eight rebounds for Cleveland but his contribution proved to be in vain.
Guard J.R. Smith returned from a two-game suspension and chipped in with 14 points off the bench, while forward Tristan Thompson had 10 points and 13 rebounds.
Chicago forward Taj Gibson had given his side a 96-93 lead by making two free throws with 23.5 seconds remaining but Smith evened the score with 10.8 seconds left with his fourth three-pointer of the game.
The Bulls had gone into the fourth quarter with a 74-73 lead, Rose scoring six of the Bulls' first eight points to open the third quarter.
Guard Jimmy Butler added back-to-back shots to spark a 7-0 run midway through the quarter.
In Friday night's other play-off match, the Los Angeles Clippers eased to a 124-99 victory over the Houston Rockets to take a 2-1 lead in their Western Conference semi-final.
Austin Rivers scored 25 points to spark a crucial second-half run, while J.J. Redick top-scored with 31 points on 11-of-14 shooting from the field.
Clippers point guard Chris Paul returned after missing the opening two games of the series with a strained left hamstring.
Paul ended the game with 12 points and seven assists to his name and only one turnover. Blake Griffin contributed 22 points and 14 rebounds.
All five Rockets starters finished the night with double-figure scores, with MVP runner-up James Harden leading the way with 25 points and 11 assists.
Dwight Howard chipped in with 14 points and 14 rebounds.
Tempers flared in the closing stages, with Houston guard Jason Terry ejected with eight minutes left after a brief altercation with Griffin.
