The Bulls, led by Zack LaVine, who scored 29 points, and Montenegrin Nikola Vucevic, who contributed 25 points with 15 rebounds, managed to achieve a precious victory.
Chicago’s defense was able to limit the danger of Serbian star Nikola Jokic, who settled for 18 points.
In Phoenix, the Suns City beat the Thunder, 132-101.
Suns fans have been eager to see Durant at home since his shock move from the Brooklyn Nets last month.
However, the 34-year-old star picked up an ankle injury while warming up.
In the absence of Durant, Devin Booker scored 44 points, while Terrence Ross added 24 and Chris Paul 18.
In Boston, Jason Tatum scored 30 points to end the Celtics’ losing streak, defeating the Portland Trail Blazers 115-93.
All of Boston’s starting players scored at least 10 points, with Derek White contributing 21, Al Horford 17, Jaylen Brown 11 and Marcus Smart 10.
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Miami Heat 104-100.
Darius Garland led the Cavaliers by scoring 25 points, compared to 18 for Donovan Mitchell, while Jimmy Butler was the best in Miami with 28 points.
CJ McCollum led a late Pelicans resurgence to beat the Dallas Mavericks 113-106 in a match in which the latter’s star, Slovenian Luka Doncic, had 15 points.
McCollum finished the game with 32 points, including 13 in the final four minutes.
