Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Michael Kidd-Gilchrist had 18 points and 12 rebounds in the Charlotte Hornets' 98-86 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday.
The Bulls started life without former MVP Derrick Rose again. Chicago announced late Tuesday night that the oft-injured point guard will undergo surgery to repair a medial meniscus tear in his right knee.
Rose will have surgery on his right knee for the second straight year -- on the heels of a season he missed entirely following a torn left ACL. There is no timetable for his return.
Mo Williams added 17 points and five assists for the Hornets, who snapped a five-game skid. Al Jefferson contributed 16 points and seven rebounds.
"I thought we had good intensity and focus the whole game," Charlotte head coach Steve Clifford said. "We had a really good fourth quarter, which is really important."
Pau Gasol recorded his league-leading 38th double-double with 25 points and 13 boards for the Bulls, who had a two-game winning streak snapped. Jimmy Butler and Aaron Brooks ended with 14 and 12 points, respectively.
"It's just a weird game," Brooks said. "We have to bring more energy."
The first three quarters featured 18 lead changes and 15 ties, with Charlotte holding a 67-65 lead.
Ahead 76-73, the Hornets created some distance with a 9-1 run. Kidd-Gilchrist tallied the final four points of the spurt to make it 85-74 with 6:01 to play.
Charlotte used an 8-0 flurry moments later to put the game out of reach. Jefferson scored six points during the burst to give the Hornets a 95-78 edge with 2:25 left.
Game Notes
Brian Roberts and Gerald Henderson had 12 and 11 points, respectively, for the Hornets ... Tony Snell tallied 10 points for the Bulls ... The Hornets play at Boston on Friday, while the Bulls welcome Minnesota to town on Friday.
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