Rondo stars as Celtics down Bulls
02/13/2012 06:50:42 AM
The Chicago Bulls lost just their seventh NBA match this season on Sunday (local time), as they were beaten 95-91 by the Boston Celtics.
Missing 2011 MVP Derrick Rose to a back injury, the Bulls - who have the second-best record in the league this season - never held the lead as they slipped up in Boston.
Boston jumped out to a 28-23 advantage at the first break and they held that five-point lead at half-time.
The match seemed as good as over with just over five minutes left as Chicago trailed by 14 points but they made a late comeback to ensure the match would go down to the wire.
Rajon Rondo starred for Boston with his triple-double (32 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds) playing a key role in the Celtics' victory.
Carlos Boozer and CJ Watson (22 points each) were Chicago's best but they could not do enough to stop Boston, who have now won 10 of their last 13 matches.
LeBron James (23 points, 13 rebounds) and Dwyane Wade (21 points) helped the Miami Heat to a 107-87 win over the Atlanta Hawks while Kobe Bryant (27 points) and Pau Gasol (16 points, 17 rebounds) were the key men in the Los Angeles Lakers' 94-92 win over the Toronto Raptors.
Washington won just their sixth match of the season as the Wizards toppled the Detroit Pistons 98-77, Monta Ellis shot 33 points as the Golden State Warriors defeated the Houston Rockets 106-97 and Al Jefferson (21 points, 15 rebounds) led the Utah Jazz to a 98-88 win against the Memphis Grizzlies.