NBA – Gordon, Deng fire Bulls to come-from-behind win over Mavs

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CHICAGO (NBA) - Great Britain duo Ben Gordon and Luol Deng combined for 55 points as Chicago came from behind to win at home over struggling Dallas 98-91.

Dallas stormed out to a 24-5 lead in the first quarter but Chicago, hearing boos from their own fans, fought back to lead 51-50 at half-time.

Deng, the second-leading scorer in EuroBasket 2009 qualifying this summer behind France's Tony Parker, had 20 points and nine rebounds while Gordon scored a game-high 35.

London-born Gordon has yet to play for Britain but could suit up for the team next year when they play in the EuroBasket Final Round in Poland.

Chicago are now 4-5.

The Mavs reached the 2006 NBA Finals but after making first-round exits from the play-offs in 2007 and '08, Dirk Nowitzki and Co look as if they may fail to even earn a spot in the Western Conference post-season this time.

They have now lost six of their first eight games under Rick Carlisle, who replaced Avery Johnson in the summer as coach.

Team USA's gold-medal winning guard Jason Kidd joined the Mavs last season and thought he was joining a team that would contend for titles.

After the Mavs' fourth straight defeat, he said the Mavs need to play harder when they don't have the ball.

"We don't play defense," Kidd said.

"That's been our problem. First six minutes we were playing defense and found ourselves up and that was it.

"We have as many offensive weapons (as any team) in the league, but we've got to find some guys who want to play defense.''

Mo Williams scored 24 points and Team USA's LeBron James had 22 with 11 rebounds as the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated Denver 110-99.

Chauncey Billups, recently dealt to Denver from Detroit in the Pistons' trade for Allen Iverson, poured in 26 for the Nuggets.

Latvia national team center Andris Biedrins had another dominating performance on the boards but it wasn't enough for Golden State as they lost at home to Detroit 107-102.

Biedrins had 19 rebounds to go with his 17 points but Rip Hamilton's 24 points and Iverson's 23 led the Pistons to their sixth win in eight games.

The Warriors slumped to 3-6.

FIBA