LEAD: Bulls' Rose returns to put his foot on Celtics' comeback bid

By Paul Levine Jan 14, 2012, 7:59 GMT

Los Angeles - After sitting out Wednesday's game with a big left toe sprain, the league's most valuable player, Derrick Rose, returned to put his foot on the throat of a late comeback bid by the Boston Celtics.

Rose erupted for 12 of his 25 points in the final quarter, including a pair of timely threes, and the surging Chicago Bulls recovered after nearly blowing a 20-point cushion to beat the host Celtics 88-79 Friday night for their fourth consecutive victory.

'I just have to fight through it,' said Rose, who wore inserts to prevent the toe from bending. 'I always say the great players find a way and I want to be great. It's not stopping me. I know when my adrenaline gets going I'll forget all about my toe.'

Luol Deng had 21 points and 16 rebounds, while Joakim Noah added 10 points and 12 boards for the Bulls (11-2), who are off to their best start since the 1996-97 campaign.

'We're off to a hot start, we just have to keep it going,' Noah said. 'Beating Boston in Boston is always special.'

The Bulls built a 20-point bulge in the third quarter, but nearly watched it get wiped out. The Celtics went on a 25-6 surge to pull within 67-66 on a three-pointer by newcomer Mikael Pietrus, but they failed to take the lead.

Instead, Rose came to the rescue.

The speedy guard ran off the Bulls' next seven points, capped by a three-pointer, opening up a 74-68 advantage with seven and a half minutes remaining.

After the Celtics closed to 77-71, Rose responded with another triple, and minutes later followed with an acrobatic layup over two defenders, as the Bulls pulled away for their fourth consecutive victory.

'He made big play after big play,' Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said of his star guard.

Ray Allen led Boston with 16 points and Rajon Rondo scored 14 with 11 assists for the Celtics, losers of three in a row.

Elsewhere: LA Lakers 97, Cleveland Cavaliers 92; Kobe Bryant fired in 42 points - his third consecutive game with 40 or more points - leading the Lakers past the visiting Cavaliers for their fifth consecutive victory.

Ty Lawson had 24 points with nine assists, Nene added 17 points with 12 rebounds, and the host Nuggets handed the slumping Miami Heat its third season-high third straight loss, 117-104.

LeBron James scored 35 for Miami (8-4), which lost fellow-superstar Dwyane Wade to a right ankle sprain in the fourth quarter.

Dallas Mavericks 102, Milwaukee Bucks 76: German juggernaut Dirk Nowitzki netted 11 points and became just the 23rd player in NBA history to score 23,000 points for his career, as the Mavericks blew out the visiting Bucks for their fourth straight victory.

San Antonio Spurs 99, Portland 83: Frenchman Tony Parker scored 12 of his 20 points in the decisive 34-18 fourth quarter, and the Spurs pulled away from the Trail Blazers to improve to 8-0 at home.

Minnesota Timberwolves 87, New Orleans Hornets 80: Kevin Love had 34 points with 15 rebounds, while Spanish rookie guard Ricky Rubio chipped in with 12 points, nine assists and the go-ahead free throws down the stretch, carrying the visiting Timberwolves past the Hornets.

Philadelphia 76ers 120, Washington Wizards 89: Jodie Meeks scored 26 on 10-11 shooting, including six three-pointers, to pace seven players in double figures as the 76ers routed the visiting Wizards for their seventh win in the last eight games.

Detroit Pistons 98, Charlotte Hornets 81: Swede Jonas Jerebko scored 22 points, Greg Monroe had 19 and the visiting Pistons snapped a six-game skid.

Indiana Pacers 95, Toronto 90: George Hill scored 22 points and Tyler Hansbrough hit a pair of go-ahead free throws with 14.8 seconds left, as the visiting Pacers edged the Raptors for their fourth win in five games.

Houston Rockets 103, Sacramento Kings 89: Kyle Lowry scored 25 point and handed out nine assists, while Samuel Dalembert had 21 points with 16 rebounds, and the host Rockets pulled away in the second half to crown the Kings.

New Jersey Nets 110, Phoenix Suns 103: Deron Williams had 35 points with 14 assists, as the visiting Nets shaded the shorthanded Suns, who were without injured starters Steve Nash (charley horse) and Grant Hill (groin).