Luol Deng scored 25 points and the Chicago Bulls won a third straight National Basketball Association contest with a 96-83 victory over Boston on Thursday.
The Celtics, whose only lead came with the opening basket of the game, narrowed the gap to 86-80 when Paul Pierce hit a three-pointer with 3:50 to play.
But Chicago scored eight of the next nine points, including six from Joakim Noah, to take a 94-81 lead.
Noah notched his 19th double-double of the season, with 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Derrick Rose added 17 points for Chicago. Noah also had four of Chicago's 10 blocked shots.
Pierce scored 20 points and Rajon Rondo chipped in 15 for Boston, who were playing their fourth game in five nights and looked weary at times.
The Celtics were also without Kevin Garnett - who missed his eighth game with a hyper-extended right knee - and Rasheed Wallace - who missed his third straight game with a sore left foot.
Celtics coach Doc Rivers said Wallace might return when Boston host Dallas on Monday, while there is an "outside chance" Garnett could return next Friday.
In the meantime, the Celtics fell to 11-6 at home after they lost just six home games in each of the past two seasons.

Luol Deng scored 25 points and the Chicago Bulls won a third straight National Basketball Association contest with a 96-83 victory over Boston on Thursday

NBA: Deng's 25 points lift Bulls over depleted Celtics

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NBA: Deng's 25 points lift Bulls over depleted Celtics

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