Playing without last season’s most valuable player Derrick Rose and veteran big man Joakim Noah, along with key reserve Taj Gibson, the Bulls leaned on Carlos Boozer and Luol Deng to hold off the Bobcats in the second half.

Boozer had 23 points, Deng scored 22 and Richard Hamilton came off the bench to fire 20 points for Chicago.

“We are disappointed that we are going through some injuries, but we are confident in the guys who are stepping in,” Deng told NBA.com.

The Bulls led by as much as 19 points, before the Bobcats mounted a small rally in the fourth period to make the final score more respectable.

Gerald Henderson led Charlotte with 22 markers.

Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder bounced back from their surprising loss against the Washington Wizards to defeat the New Jersey Nets, 84-74.

Kevin Durant had 20 points and a season high 15 rebounds to lead the Thunder, who improve their record to 13-3, tops in the Western Conference.

“I was just a little amped because of the last game. We lost,” Durant told NBA.com. “I just wanted to have a good start.”

The Thunder defense gave the Nets fits, as they made only 31% of their shots and were out-rebounded 55-46. New Jersey was also three-of-23 from behind the arc.

The Houston Rockets defeated the San Antonio Spurs, 105-102, at home, behind 25 points from Kevin Martin. (abs-cbn news)

Hayes was injured when he collided with Bucks center Drew Gooden with his left arm extended in the second quarter of the game.

The injury occurred one night after Hayes hit the floor hard after taking a charge from Denver’s Chris Andersen.

“That’s in my top five all-time for charges,” Hayes told reporters on Thursday. “The one from Birdman (Andersen) was more painful than any charge I’ve taken. I saw him coming down the lane for a dunk, a big man coming full speed, and I knew it’d hurt.”

Hayes, who signed a four-year, $22.4 million contract with the Kings in the offseason, has averaged 5.6 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists this season. — Reuters

Bryant, who had connected on just 26 percent of his shots over his previous two games, finally caught fire against the Rockets while team mate Andrew Bynum had 21 points and 22 rebounds as the Lakers got their fourth win in five games.

“I just had to make some adjustments,” Bryant told reporters as he continues to play with an injured right wrist. “Some shots (it) hurts, some it doesn’t, so it’s inconsistent. But you have to find a rhythm.”

Los Angeles held an 82-81 lead with about 10 minutes remaining of a previously tight contest but outscored the Rockets 18-8 over the next eight minutes, led by nine points from Bryant during the stretch.

Bryant made 14-of-29 shots and also had eight rebounds and six assists.

The win moved the Lakers (4-3) a half-game in front of the cross-town Clippers in the division. The Rockets (2-3), meanwhile, have lost all three of their road games this season.

Houston’s Kyle Lowry just missed a triple-double with 22 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists while Luis Scola added 20 points.

The visitors stayed in touch with the Lakers throughout the game, trailing by four at halftime and just one after three quarters, but they were pounded on the inside.

Los Angeles grabbed a 53-38 advantage in rebounds led by 7-footer Bynum.

After being suspended the first four games of the season because of a flagrant foul during the last post-season contest, Bynum has exploded back onto the scene with three straight double-figure games in points and rebounds.

“Rebounding the basketball is big. It’s important to us and it’s something I’ve been working on,” Bynum said. “I’ve been doing a lot of work before practice. I’m super confident right now.” — Reuters