CHICAGO — Lauri Markkanen scored 11 of his 14 points in the second half, including a key 3-pointer with 48.5 seconds left, and the Chicago Bulls beat the Atlanta Hawks 91-86 on Thursday night for their first win of the season.

Markkanen also grabbed 12 rebounds, leading a dominant rebounding effort for Chicago. Robin Lopez had 16 points and eight rebounds and reserve David Nwaba finished with 15 points and 11 boards, helping the Bulls to a whopping 62-40 advantage on the glass.

Marco Belinelli made five 3-pointers on his way to 23 points for Atlanta, which closed out a 1-4 trip – the franchise’s longest trip to begin a season. Kent Bazemore scored 16 points and Mike Muscala finished with 14 points and 10 boards.

Belinelli made a 3 to give Atlanta an 86-85 lead with about 1:50 left, but the Hawks never scored again. Lopez passed to Justin Holiday for a reverse layup and Jerian Grant found Markkanen for his big 3 in the final minute, making it 90-86.

Grant added a free throw in the final seconds, helping Chicago close it out. He finished with 11 points and seven assists.

Rookie John Collins had 13 points on 5-for-6 shooting for Atlanta, but the Hawks shot 39.5 percent (32 for 81) overall.

GRIZZLIES 96, MAVERICKS 91: Marc Gasol had 25 points and 13 rebounds, Mike Conley added 22 points and Memphis held on to beat visiting Dallas.

Memphis held a 20-point lead in the third quarter, but the Mavericks cut into the lead behind Wesley Matthews, who finished with 18 points and made four 3-pointers in the period.

A fourth-quarter push gave the Mavericks an 86-84 lead with 3:56 left when J.J. Barea converted three free throws, capping an 18-8 run to open the quarter.

That was the last lead for Dallas, as Conley scored the next five points and had nine of the Grizzlies’ final 10.

Harrison Barnes led Dallas with 22 points. Dirk Nowitzki added 14.

Related Stories