Morning Box Score

By Matt Motyka in News on Jan 7, 2009 3:30PM

Bulls Oust Kings
The Bulls three-game losing skid came to a halt Tuesday night with a 99-95 victory over the Sacramento Kings. Chicago built several encouraging leads throughout the game, but Sacramento persistently fought back into contention. After a night of stellar shooting from the free-throw line, the Bulls streched out the drama by going five-for-eight in the final minute. With under 10 seconds to play the Kings needed three to tie, but guard Kevin Martin opted to drive the lane instead of finding a perimeter shot. His unsuccessful attempt left the Bulls on top. Ben Gordon scored 24 points, and Drew Gooden returned to action with an 18-point, 10-rebound performance.

Blackhawks Blank Coyotes
The Blackhawks defeated the Phoenix Coyotes 6-0 on Tuesday, completing a season sweep of the southwestern skaters. Birthday boy Adam Burish kicked off the party with his first goal of the season, and scores from Kris Versteeg, Colin Fraser and Ben Eager made it 4-0 by the end of the opening period. Jonathan Toews arrived fashionably late with goals in the second and third periods, and backstop Cristobal Huet earned his second shutout of the year. Chicago saunters into Denver Thursday for a matchup with the Colorado Avalanche.

AP Photo/Paul Beaty