|
RECAP
|
BOX SCORE
|
GAME FLOW
BOSTON (AP) – Boston Celtics coach Jim O'Brien might have been
in the mood to celebrate Sunday if he hadn't been so exhausted
from what should have been an easier game.
"I'm thrilled to be tied," O'Brien said after Boston beat the
Chicago 102-98 to pull even with Indiana for the final Eastern
Conference playoff spot and avoid what would have been an
embarrassing loss to the league's worst team. "But it takes too
much energy to smile after a game like that. It's too difficult."
Paul Pierce scored 13 of his 36 points in the last 3 1/2 minutes as
Boston pulled away. His performance gives him a whopping 215 points
in his last six games, an average of 35.8.
"I have not been on a streak like this that I can remember,"
said Pierce, who was nominated by the team for NBA player of the
week two weeks ago and will be again this week. "I never scored 40
points before joining the Celtics."
With a 31-38 record, Boston is even with the Pacers, who lost
84-82 to Orlando earlier Sunday. Boston and Indiana have 13 games
apiece to play, including two head-to-head, having split their
first two matchups this season.
"We're locked up again," said Celtics forward Antoine Walker,
who had 21 points, seven assists, seven rebounds and four steals.
"But we can't get ahead of ourselves and we can't look ahead. I'm
sure they're thinking the same way."
The victory also helped Boston avoid a second home loss to the
Bulls, who have won just two road games this season – one of them a
104-86 victory in Boston on Dec. 13, Chicago's biggest win since
Michael Jordan retired.
"We didn't think it was ripe for the picking," said Bulls
forward Elton Brand, who had 20 points and nine rebounds. "We knew
that we had to come out with intensity because they're vying for
that last playoff spot."
Ron Mercer scored 29 for the Bulls, who beat Charlotte on Friday
night for their league-low 12th win of the season. Chicago has won
consecutive games just once this season.
Boston led 86-78 before Chicago scored eight consecutive points
to tie the score 86-all with 5:08 to play. Pierce stopped the slide
by hitting a 3-pointer with Mercer in his face, giving the Celtics
the lead for good.
Pierce hit six free throws and a pair of baskets down the
stretch to protect the lead for Boston, which has won four of its
last five games but only seven of its last 17 as it chases its
first playoff berth in six seasons.
Game notes
Brad Miller picked up a technical in the second quarter for
complaining about a foul. ... The crowd of 18,624 was Boston's
fourth sellout of the year. ... Boston's Vitaly Potapenko had to
leave the game briefly in the third quarter with a nosebleed. ...
The Bulls' other road victory was at Atlanta on Nov. 30. ... Walker
picked up a technical in the fourth for unknown reasons.
 Send this story to a friend
|
|
ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Chicago Clubhouse
Boston Clubhouse
RECAPS
Toronto 102
Vancouver 92
Orlando 84
Indiana 82
Miami 88
San Antonio 83
Milwaukee 105
Atlanta 98
Boston 102
Chicago 98
Minnesota 105
New Jersey 91
LA Lakers 84
Sacramento 72
|
