Pacers hand Bulls first loss at home

CHICAGO – The determined and relentless Indiana Pacers handed the Bulls their first home loss in nine games this season – and first since March 28 last season – playing a stellar second half in their 95-90 victory.

“I will never forget how they celebrated just from winning this game,” Derrick Rose said. “I can’t wait to play them again.”

The Bulls entered having won 26 of their previous 27 regular-season games at home but blew a 10-point halftime lead in an extremely physical game.

The Pacers beat the Bulls on the boards in a matchup of the league’s top-two rebounding teams, enjoying a 44-41 advantage, and also limited them to 40 percent shooting.

“Our guys are a tough-minded bunch,” Pacers coach Frank Vogel said. “We believe we’re one of the best defensive teams in the league. The difference between this year’s team and last year’s team is we believe we can score in crunch time.”

Danny Granger’s 22 points led six Pacers in double figures. The Bulls also placed all five starters in double figures, led by Rose’s 24 points. But he managed just two in the fourth quarter and passed to Brian Scalabrine for a wide-open 3-point attempt with 22.9 seconds left and the Bulls trailing 92-90.

Darren Collison emerged from the wild, loose-ball scramble with an open floor. Granger eventually found Roy Hibbert for the dagger dunk with 13.1 seconds left.

Ronnie Brewer, Luol Deng’s replacement, stuffed the box score with 20 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and three steals.