
Last night, Boston (17-2) did enough to beat the Chicago Bulls (6-12) at the United Center, 92-81. Garnett led the way (16 points, 9 rebounds, 7 blocks, 3 assists) but he had plenty of help from Ray Allen (21 points), Rajon Rondo (18 points, 7 boards, 5 assists) and James Posey (11 points). Paul Pierce was just 1-of-8 from the floor but made all eight free throws to finish with 10 points. Crazier than that was Rondo, who was 9-of-13 from the floor.
The Bulls have been the league's biggest disappointment so far this season. A young team with a solid nucleus (Ben Gordon, Luol Deng, Kirk Hinrich), they simply haven't put it together for whatever reason.
Coming into last night, Chicago was the league's top rebounding team but the Celts beat them at their own game. Glen Davis was a beast under the hoop with eight points and 12 rebounds. Boston owned the glass (45-37) and shot 51.6% from the floor. These strong performances helped offset a night when Boston was uncharacteristically careless with the ball (17 turnovers).
The Celtics owned every quarter: 21-18, 26-25, 22-16 and 23-22. The Bulls shot a pitiful 3-for-16 from three-point land. Andres Nocioni led the way with 18 points while Hinrich (16 points, 6 assists), Deng (15 points, 7 rebounds), Gordon (13 points) and Joe Smith (10 points) all scored in double figures. Ben Wallace had eight points and 14 rebounds but he barely resembles the player with the Pistons, who won back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year awards. Why did the Bulls shell out that huge contract for him?
Boston has a few days off before hosting Sacramento on Wednesday. Without leading scorer Kevin Martin, the Kings will offer a very winnable game as the C's look to stay unbeaten at the Garden.
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