Bulls go on late blitz to beat Celtics behind Boozer and Deng

By Paul Levine Feb 17, 2012, 8:06 GMT

Los Angeles - The Chicago Bulls sit atop the NBA standings with the best record, but aren't satisfied with their success, just yet.

Carlos Boozer had 23 points and 15 rebounds, Luol Deng also contributed 23 points along with 10 assists as the Bulls used a late 12-0 blitz to beat the visiting Boston Celtics 89-80 on Thursday night.

'We played well,' said All-Star Deng, who drained six three-pointers in the Bulls' uneven victory. 'We let up a little but got it back and picked it up and didn't let down.'

Joakim Noah chipped in with 15 points and 16 boards while Mike James scored eight off the bench in his first game for the Bulls ((25-7), who dominated the glass, 52-37, en route to their seventh win in the last eight games.

'We handled our business tonight and it was great win especially against Boston,'Noah said. 'But we can play a lot better. We need to get our guys back healthy and we can execute better. But they're good problems to have when you're winning.'

Playing without ailing All-Star guard Derrick Rose (sore lower back) for the fourth straight game and back court mate Richard Hamilton, the Bulls led by nine at halftime and 16 early in the third quarter.

The Celtics, however, stormed back and squared the contest at 69-apiece on Ray Allen's jumper with eight minutes 42 seconds remaining.

'We tied it at 69,' Boston coach Doc Rivers said, 'and then let up some on offence.

Chicago responded by running off a dozen unanswered points. Taj Gibson's layup ignited the decisive outburst while Deng book-ended a three-pointer and a layup around a free throw by Kyle Korver. Boozer capped the surge with consecutive layups to make 81-69, and the Bulls improved to 11-1 at home.

'When we do get healthy,' Boozer said, 'watch out.'

Elsewhere: LA Clippers 74, Portland Trail Blazers 71: Blake Griffin had 21 points with 14 rebounds while Chris Paul scored all 13 of his points in the fourth quarter as the visiting Clippers rallied from 18 down to beat the Trail Blazers for their first time in seven trips to the Rose Garden since Dec. 12, 2008.

Frenchman Nicolas Batum and Jamal Crawford netted 19 points apiece for Portland, playing its second game without All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge because of a left ankle sprain, was outscored 22-11 in the final frame.

Indiana Pacers 93, New Jersey Nets 88: Danny Granger scored 32 points despite playing with a gimpy left ankle, and the Pacers ended a season-high five-game slide after trimming the visiting Nets.

Deron Williams scored 29 for the struggling Nets, who have dropped a season-high eight in a row.