Celtics at Bulls
THE STORY: Even with point guard Derrick Rose missing from the lineup, the Boston Celtics know they cannot afford to get complacent against the Chicago Bulls. The Celtics barely squeaked past the Bulls on Sunday with Rose sitting out, and Chicago will seek to avenge that loss when it hosts Boston on Thursday night. The league's reigning MVP, Rose is expected to miss his fourth straight game with a balky back, but the Bulls own an Eastern Conference-best 10-1 home record.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, TNT
ABOUT THE CELTICS (15-13): Boston suffered an ugly home loss to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night – its third defeat in four games. Rajon Rondo scored a season-high 35 points and has 67 in his last two games, including his triple-double against the Bulls. Forward Kevin Garnett sat out Wednesday with a hip flexor and his status for Thursday is uncertain. Garnett had been the only Boston player not to miss a game. Chris Wilcox had 17 points and nine rebounds in his place.
ABOUT THE BULLS (24-7): Chicago has allowed only 100 points at home twice this season, but it has happened in the last two games. Luol Deng scored a season-high 23 points and added a career-high 11 assists to lead six players in double figures as the Bulls won a shootout over Sacramento 121-115. Center Joakim Noah has helped picked up the slack in Rose’s absence, averaging 18.3 points and 11.3 rebounds in the past three games. He’s also shooting nearly 67 percent in that span.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Boston’s win Sunday came in the finale of a nine-game road trip for Chicago. The Bulls won the previous three meetings, limiting the Celtics to 81 points or fewer in each.
2. Chicago is second in the league in rebounding while Boston ranks second to last.
3. The Bulls signed veteran guard Mike James to a 10-day contract.