Noah, Robinson help Bulls dominate Celtics

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Following Monday nights loss in Memphis, the Bulls (14-10) lamented their rebounding, so Tuesday at the United Center rebounding is what they did, as in bouncing back with a 100-89 victory over the Celtics (12-12).
Besides winning the battle of the boards, the Bulls also employed a solid defensive effort, good ball security and outstanding individual performances, including Joakim Noahs triple-double, an efficient scoring night from Luol Deng and Nate Robinson stealing the show off the bench to close things out.
Sparked by the scoring of forwards Deng (21 points) and Carlos Boozer (21 points, 12 rebounds), as well as the uncanny playmaking of Noah (11 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists), the Bulls started the evening with more of an offensive tone than the previous night. However, they were countered by Bostons balanced scoring, led by future Hall of Famers Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, leading to a close-knit affair in the opening period.
Marco Belinelli was also a factor for the Bulls in the early going, as was Celtics floor general Rajon Rondo (26 points, eight assists), who was his usual playmaking self, setting up teammates for easy scoring opportunities. But Deng continued to excel for the hosts, leading to a 28-23 edge after a quarter of play.
Behind Dengs propensity for getting to the foul lineand accuracy, as he knocked down his first 10 attempts from the charity stripeand, in an effort to match up with Bostons small-ball lineup, a backcourt featuring Robinson (18 points, 5-of-7 three-point shooting) and Marquis Teague, the Bulls seized control of the contest.
Robinson and fellow reserve Jimmy Butler gave the hosts a boost of energy with their scoring and offensive rebounding, respectively, while Noahs all-around game hinted at a triple-double in the making and by getting out in transition and dominating the offensive glass, the Bulls took a double-digit lead. However, toward the end of the half, Boston battled back behind Rondo, but at the intermission, the Bulls maintained a 53-46 advantage.
After the break, Boozer became the focal point of the Bulls offense, shouldering the home teams scoring load, en route to them once again building the winning margin to double digits. Despite the stellar play of Rondo, who looked more for his shot as his teammates struggled to score, the Celtics couldnt dig themselves out of the hole.
Besides their offensive cohesiveness and improved rebounding after losing the battle of the boards in their three previous outingsthe defense wasnt outstanding, as Boston shot a decent percentageperhaps the biggest key to the Bulls success was their ability to take care of the ball and limit turnovers. Deng picked up the slack on the back end of the frame, then, just like the end of the previous quarter, the Celtics, propelled by Rondo, made another push, but heading into the final stanza, the Bulls led, 79-70.
Robinsons instant-offense scoring from deep gave the Bulls a big lift at the outset of the fourth quarter, giving the Bulls plenty of breathing room and further widening the gap between the two teams. Taj Gibson (13 points, five rebounds, four assists), playing on a gimpy ankle, also made his presence, and was on the receiving end of Noahs 10th assist of the night, giving the center a triple-double, the second of his career.
With Robinson leading the charge, the difference in the game grew to blowout proportions midway through the period and while the partisan crowd was still very much involved, it was all academic by that point in the lopsided affair. Even Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau had to tacitly admit that it was over and his team did a job well done, as he subbed out the likes of Deng and Noah, two of the NBAs leaders in minutes per game.

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