Morning Box Score: Bulls, Blackhawks Hang Tough

By Chuck Sudo in News on Dec 9, 2010 4:00PM

Blackhawks 5, Stars 3: Jonathan Toews showed why he earned the captain's "C" on his sweater in recent games. Toews has stepped up his performance with Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa out, and the rest of his Blackhawks teammates struggling to develop chemistry.

Toews scored one of the Blackhawks' five goals on the night and Corey Crawford was once again solid in net to pace the Blackhawks past Dallas. The Stars put up a late charge to pull within 4-3, but Patrick Sharp's empty netter sealed the victory. The Hawks also got away with a possible penalty shot infraction in the final minute that could have been called on Brent Seabrook.

Bulls 88, Cavaliers 83: If Derrick Rose keeps playing at the level he's set this season, he could be making a case for MVP consideration. The Bulls point guard came up clutch again in the fourth quarter, finishing with 29 points and eight rebounds to lead the bulls past the Cavs in Cleveland. The Cavaliers made this a game with a 33-19 third quarter, but Rose scored five points in the final minute to hand the Cavs their sixth straight loss.