CHICAGO — Jeff Teague scored 26 points as the Atlanta Hawks inflicted a fourth straight defeat on the Chicago Bulls Monday, nudging the iconic franchise closer to a first missed postseason since 2008.
Teague also notched seven assists in a 102-100 victory for the visitors as Chicago’s record dipped below .500 for the first time this season, leaving them at 36-37 and further adrift of the Eastern Conference playoff positions.
The Bulls’ season has gone into a nosedive in recent weeks, with the team losing 11 of their last 17 matches to plummet down the standings.
The team held a clear-the-air meeting at the weekend after a damaging defeat to the Orlando Magic Saturday but was always chasing the game against the Hawks, who opened up a 15-point lead in the second half.
A sustained Chicago rally saw them claw back the scoreline to 93-93 with 1:40 remaining. But Atlanta regrouped and regained the lead with free throws from Kent Bazemore, Thabo Sefolosha and Teague.
Jimmy Butler scored a four-point play to take the Bulls back to 98-97 with 19.6 seconds to go, but the Hawks held firm and four more free throws from Kyle Korver and Teague sealed the win.
The win saw Atlanta improve to 45-30, with nine wins in its last 10 games. Chicago coach Fred Hoiberg drew encouragement from his team’s late rally, even though it ended in vain.
Thunder 119, Raptors 100: Kevin Durant poured in 34 points, Russell Westbrook added a triple-double, and the Oklahoma City Thunder extended their winning streak to a season-high eight games with a 119-100 win over the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre.
Westbrook picked up his eighth triple-double in the past 15 games by compiling 26 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds. Durant added eight rebounds and eight assists.
Heat 110, Nets 99: Dwyane Wade had 30 points and nine assists to lead the Miami Heat to a 110-99 victory over the Brooklyn Nets at American Airlines Arena.
Wade, who made 14 of his 19 shots from the floor, had 17 of his points in the first half. He injured his thumb in the first half but returned to the game.
Spurs 101, Grizzlies 87: LaMarcus Aldridge scored 31 points and grabbed 13 rebounds Monday night, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a 101-87 win over the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum.
Aldridge finished 11-for-16 from the floor and 9-for-11 at the foul line. He also had three assists and two blocks in 31 minutes.
Pelicans 99, Knicks 91: Jrue Holiday scored 10 of his team-high 22 points in the fourth quarter before taking an inadvertent elbow to the eye to lead the New Orleans Pelicans to a 99-91 victory over the new York Knicks at the Smoothie King Center.
Timberwolves 121, Suns 116: Andrew Wiggins led all scorers with 32 points to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 121-116 win over the Phoenix Suns at Target Center.
Jazz 123, Lakers 75: Rodney Hood stole the spotlight from Kobe Bryant, scoring 30 points to lead the Utah Jazz to a 123-75 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
In other games it was: Mavericks 97, Nuggets 88; Trail Blazers 105, Kings 93; Clippers 114, Celtics 90.
