Jordan Hill of the Los Angeles Lakers celebratesMARK RALSTON/AFP / Getty Images
When the Los Angeles Lakers blew a nine-point lead in 70 seconds late in regulation, they certainly seemed to be careening straight toward another loss in overtime.
That's when the young, patchwork Lakers discovered a poise they've never had before — just in time to avoid a historic defeat.
Jordan Hill scored 26 points and forced the second overtime with a clutch jumper, and the Lakers snapped their nine-game losing streak in thrilling fashion with a 123-118 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night.
Wayne Ellington scored 23 points and rookie Jordan Clarkson added 18 for the Lakers, who held off the Bulls for their first victory since Jan. 9. With big late baskets from everybody in their unassuming lineup, the Lakers avoided matching the 1994 squad coached by Magic Johnson for the longest skid in the 16-time champion franchise's history.
"We can surprise a lot of people out there if we keep playing like we did tonight," Hill said.
Carlos Boozer had 16 points against his former team for the Lakers, who got their first win since Kobe Bryant was lost for the season with a torn right rotator cuff.
And it was fairly packed with drama. After longtime Lakers big man Pau Gasol tied it with 11 seconds left in regulation, Hill's short hook shot at the buzzer rattled out. Hill hit a tying 20-footer with 16 seconds left in the first overtime, and Derrick Rose badly missed his 20-footer at the first OT buzzer.
"It felt good to have the win, but I wish it didn't have to go two overtimes," Clarkson said after his latest precocious performance. "I should have taken care of the ball and been more aggressive, but we got it done."
Ellington hit two early shots in the second overtime to put the Lakers up for good. Los Angeles made five of its seven shots in the second OT while holding on.
All-Star Jimmy Butler matched his career high with 35 points for the Bulls, who rallied to force the first overtime, but couldn't finish it.
Gasol had 20 points and 10 rebounds in his Staples Center return against the Lakers, and he forced the first overtime with the tying tip-in.
Rose added 17 points before missing that potential game-winner at the first overtime buzzer for the Bulls, who flopped after their thrilling win at Golden State on Tuesday.
"In this league, if one team is playing with great intensity and the other one lets up just a slight bit, the players in this league are too good," Bulls coach Tim Thibodeau said. "We've played low-energy (basketball), and then it came down to a miracle comeback to get it to overtime."
Los Angeles led by 15 points in the second half, and Hill's basket with 1:29 left put the Lakers up 98-89. After Butler hit a 3-pointer, two free throws and a breakaway dunk, Gasol leaned over Robert Sacre and tipped in Rose's miss.
Rose's 3-pointer to open overtime gave the Bulls their first lead. Gasol made one free throw with 35 seconds left to put Chicago up 106-104, but Hill drained his long jumper before Rose failed to score on an isolation play.
GRIZZLIES 99, NUGGETS 69
MEMPHIS — Zach Randolph had 15 points and 17 rebounds, Jeff Green added 13 points and Memphis won its fifth straight.
The Grizzlies held the Nuggets to 11 points in the first quarter and were never threatened the rest of the way as Randolph recorded his 10th consecutive double-double.
Courtney Lee, Nick Calathes and Beno Udrih, starting in place of the injured Mike Conley, scored 11 apiece, while Marc Gasol had 10 points.
Wilson Chandler and Kenneth Faried each scored 10 points for Denver, which lost for the eighth time in the last nine.
BUCKS 115, MAGIC 100
ORLANDO — Jerryd Bayless scored 19 points, Jared Dudley and Khris Middleton had 17 apiece and Milwaukee ended a 17-game losing streak in Orlando.
The Bucks never trailed and placed seven players in double figures, including all five starters. Brandon Knight had 16 points and eight assists, O.J. Mayo scored 13 points and John Henson had 12 points and 11 rebounds.
The Magic have lost seven straight and 13 of their last 15 games. Victor Oladipo led Orlando with 21 points. Nik Vucevic added 17 points and 14 rebounds.
The Bucks led 59-44 halftime and then blew open the game in the third period.
PACERS 103, KNICKS 82
INDIANAPOLIS — Rodney Stuckey scored 22 points, Roy Hibbert had 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Indiana routed New York.
The struggling Pacers (17-31) picked up their most lopsided home victory of the season by winning for only the second time in 10 games.
Carmelo Anthony scored 18 points, 12 in the first 9 minutes for the Knicks (9-38). Lou Amundson added 17 as New York managed just 33 second-half points and fell behind Philadelphia for the worst record in the East.