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          Los Angeles Lakers

          Lakers 123, Bulls 118 (2OT): End of the skid

          • Baxter Holmes, ESPN Senior WriterJan 30, 2015, 01:43 AM ET
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              Baxter Holmes (@Baxter) is a senior writer for ESPN Digital and Print, focusing on the NBA. He has covered the Lakers, the Celtics and previously worked for The Boston Globe and Los Angeles Times.
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          LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Lakers stood one defeat from tying their longest losing streak in franchise history.

          Then they built a 15-point lead over a legitimate title contender.

          And they almost let it slip away on several occasions when it was all on the line, but ultimately the Lakers fought back and held on to win a 123-118 double-overtime thriller over the Chicago Bulls at Staples Center here Thursday.

          The win snaps a nine-game losing streak, the Lakers' longest skid since they dropped a franchise-worst 10 in a row in April 1994.

          The Lakers improved to 13-34 while the Bulls fell to 30-18.

          Player of the game: This was a close call, but let's give the honor to Lakers forward Jordan Hill. He tied a career high with 26 points on 11-of-22 shooting and added 12 rebounds.

          Hill hit a huge 20-foot jumper late in the first overtime that extended the game to another session. He hit another big jumper late in the second overtime and grabbed several clutch rebounds throughout.

          Homecoming king: Lakers coach Byron Scott called for Lakers fans to give Gasol a standing ovation, and they delivered. After a touching tribute video before tipoff, Gasol came to center court as fans rose to their feet and rained down cheers.

          Lakers star Kobe Bryant was expected to say some pregame remarks on behalf of his former teammate, but the Lakers said he was still in pain and groggy from medication following season-ending shoulder surgery Wednesday. Bryant spoke to Gasol privately before leaving the arena, the Lakers said.

          As for the game itself, Gasol finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. He also made a huge tip-in basket that tied the score with 11 seconds left in regulation, closing out a 9-0 run that gave the Bulls a chance.

          Stat of the night: Bulls guard Jimmy Butler shot 18 free throws; the Lakers as a team shot 25.

          Butler made 16 of his attempts at the charity stripe and the Bulls made 26 of 32. Butler scored a game-high 35 points, matching his career high. He scored 27 in the second half. On the flip side, Derrick Rose shot 7-of-26 from the field for 17 points and wasn't a factor in either of the overtimes.

          Factoid: Thursday marked the Lakers' first double-overtime game since April 22, 2012 versus Oklahoma City.

          Loose balls: Lakers guard Nick Young (sprained ankle) missed his second consecutive game.