Nate Robinson #2 of the Chicago Bulls drives against Perry Jones III #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during a pre-season game on October 23, 2012 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Nate Robinson replaced Kirk Hinrich in Chicago’s starting lineup and had 21 points and eight assists, helping the Bulls hold off the Indiana Pacers, 97-90 at Notre Dame’s Joyce Center.
Luol Deng added 17 points for the Bulls, who never trailed and finished the preseason with a 5-2 record, best in the Central Division.
Roy Hibbert led Indiana (4-3) with 17 points and eight rebounds. David West had 16 points and nine boards, and D.J. Augustin totaled 10 points and 13 assists for the Pacers.
Taj Gibson had nine points and 11 rebounds off the bench for Chicago.
Hinrich did not play after straining his right groin Tuesday against Oklahoma City.
Chicago led by 12 early in the fourth quarter, but the Pacers whittled it down to just three with 1:08 to play following West’s three-point play. The Bulls answered with consecutive jumpers in the final minute from Richard Hamilton and Robinson, who drained a fallaway with 18 seconds left that just beat the shot clock.
The Bulls led by as many as 15 points in the first quarter. Indiana got the lead down to 52-43 by halftime, thanks to 10 points off the bench from Ian Mahinmi, who finished with 14.
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