(Getty Images / NBAE)

CHICAGO, March 29 (AP) -- Joakim Noah's big game was nearly spoiled by another fourth-quarter collapse by the Chicago Bulls.

Noah had a season-high 18 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks to lead the Bulls to a 114-111 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night after nearly squandering a 21-point lead in the fourth quarter.

The Bulls couldn't hold an 18-point lead earlier in the month at home against the 76ers and dropped a game to the Wizards after leading by 20 points in the second half.

"For some reason that's something that we've been struggling with all season,'' Noah said. "I think it's all about being on the same page. We pulled together at the end and we got stops when we needed them. But I think we just have to do a better job of more consistent defense for 12 minutes especially in the fourth quarter.''

Larry Hughes scored 19 points and Luol Deng added 16 to help the Bulls win for just the fourth time in 12 games. Chicago pulled 3 1/2 games behind eighth-place Atlanta for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Michael Redd scored 33 points to lead the Bucks, who lost for the 12 time in 14 games in March. Charlie Villanueva scored 15 of this 26 points in the third quarter, and Mo Williams added 13 points for Milwaukee.

Full AP recap

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GAMEDAY ARCHIVE

Highlights from Saturday's loss in Chicago

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Game highlights

For exclusive locker room video from tonight's game, check out the AT&T Multimedia Vault!

Photos by NBAE/Getty Images

Charlie Villanueva

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