Bulls edge Suns 71-68 on buzzer-beater shot

Roger Mason Jr.'s three-pointer at the buzzer gave Chicago a 71-68 win over Phoenix in the first game of day three at the Rocky Mountain Revue. The Bulls never trailed during the first three quarters, but the Suns rallied to grab a 68-63 lead.

Top pick Kirk Hinrich hit a three-pointer to cut the lead to two. Hinrich drove the ball to the hoop on the next possession on a breakaway, but missed the layup. However, Lonny Baxter followed up with a dunk to know the score at 68-68. The Bulls had one last chance to settle the game in regulation with 1.4 seconds left. Mason got the ball at the right of the key and sank the three-pointer. Mason had previously missed his previous three attempts from beyond the arc.

Second round player Lonny Baxter led all scorers for the second straight game with 25 points. He made nine of 15 from the field and seven of nine from the line. Veteran center Dalibor Bagaric, who I've called the worst player at the Rocky Mountain Revue the past three years, had perhaps his best game ever in Salt Lake City, as he finished with ten points and four steals. Mason, Trenton Hassell and second round pick Mario Austin all scored seven points for the Bulls. Hinrich added five points.

First round pick Zarko Cabarkapa led the Suns with 18 points. He added nine rebounds. Fellow first rounder Leandro Barbosa made his NBA debut as he finished with 12 points, including three three-pointers. Joe Johnson, who is entering his third NBA season, and Andy ellis added eleven points each. Jake Tsakalidis had five points and eleven caroms and 2002 first rounder Casey Jacobsen scored seven.