Bulls rally to take 3rd-quarter lead

By K.C. Johnson

The Bulls ended a sizzling quarter with a 12-0 run to seize a 73-70 lead over Charlotte after three quarters at the United Center.

John Salmons, who leads the Bulls with a season-high 23 points, started the spurt with a basket.

The Bulls had been struggling to get bench production to this point, but Kirk Hinrich then scored six straight points, including a 3-pointer.

And Joakim Noah capped the run with a lefty jump hook on the baseline and then a tip-in of a Salmons' miss on a fast break.

Charlotte, led by Boris Diaw's 14 points, failed to score on its final eight possessions of the quarter.