The Chicago Bulls beat Boston 97-81 on Thursday to open up a four-game lead atop the Eastern Conference and move within a victory of clinching home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.
Chicago (58-20), winners of 17 of their last 19 games, closed out the third quarter with an 11-4 run to pull away from the Celtics (54-24).
The Bulls allowed the Celtics just four field goals in the fourth quarter and with just four games remaining look like genuine title contenders.
MVP candidate Derrick Rose led the Bulls with 30 points and eight assists and Luol Deng scored 18 of his 23 points in the second half.
The Celtics were led by Paul Pierce with 15 points while Kevin Garnett scored 10 and Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen were limited to seven each.
Source:Reuters
