Carlos Boozer and Luol Deng carry Chicago Bulls to 89 – 80 win over the Boston Celtics – NBA Recap
There have been concerns that Chicago Bulls could find it difficult to manage big games without super star Derrick Rose, but the side put an end to those with an impressive 89 – 80 victory over the Boston Celtics. The game at the United Center was a closely
contested one but in the end Chicago emerged triumphant, thanks to a late surge.
In Rose’s absence, Luol Deng and Carlos Boozer stepped up and delivered terrific performances to help their team along.
Deng performed the role of playmaker to devastating effect, notching up 10 assists while he also attacked ferociously for his 23 points. Not to be outdone, much maligned power forward Carlos Boozer also recorded a double-double with 23 points and 15 rebounds.
Other than Deng and Boozer, Joakim Noah was tremendous with 15 points and 16 rebounds while C.J. Watson netted 11.
Rajon Rondo has been on fire in recent games for the Boston Celtics and the point guard was again their best player, scoring 17, grabbing 7 boards and dishing out 8 assists. Kevin Garnett returned from an injury for his double-double at 18 points and 10
rebounds.
Ray Allen and Paul Pierce however disappointed once more with relatively low scores of 12 and 14 respectively.
Boston were quicker out of the blocks, racing to a 12 – 6 lead at the start. The Bulls caught up with them and took the lead with 3:38 left in the first quarter, 16 – 14. The Celtics though finished on an 8 – 2 run to end up on top at 24 – 18.
The second quarter was a completely different affair. Boston looked dangerous again, with an early 6 – 0 spurt, but the Bulls responded in defiant manner. Chicago soon launched a furious 20 – 4 rally that turned the game on its head and put the Bulls in
command going into the halftime break at 44 – 35.
After the interval it was Boston’s turn to get back in the game. Although the Bulls started the 3rd quarter with a 9 – 2 burst, the Celtics refused to go away. They had a 9 – 1 run that brought the deficit back to single digits. Then an 8 – 0
spurt right at the end ensured that Boston went into the penultimate period just behind the Bulls at 60 – 59.
Chicago however had too much in the tank for the final quarter. The scores were level at 69 – 69 when they had a 12 – 0 burst, ending at 81 – 69. Boston tried desperately to get back in the game afterwards but the door was firmly shut by Chicago and the
clock finally ran out at 89 – 80.
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