Brian Scalabrine is still a beast despite the loss

Despite blowing out the New Jersey Nets last night, the Boston Celtics (27-11) strugged all night against the Chicago Bulls (17-20), and were just not able to make enough plays on both sides of the ball as they lost, 96-83, on Thursday night.

The Celtics played extremely well last night, but just were not able to come out with the same sort of intensity.  The game was tied 6-6 early on, but a 13-3 Chicago run would basically give them the buffer zone they needed to win this game.  The Celtics trailed 29-18 after one quarter, but a 7-0 run late in the second quarter cut the Chicago lead to 41-36.  However, Boston would not be able to cut the lead anymore and Chicago would go to halftime up 47-39, as Eddie House hit a long three with three seconds left to keep the game within reach.

The Celtics again cut the Chicago lead to 5 late in the third quarter, but missed several shots late in the quarter and found themselves down 70-63 entering the fourth.  Again down 5, the several missed several shots and foul shots, but eventually cut the lead to 75-71 on a Kendrick Perkins layup with 8:06 remaining.  However, Chicago would score five quick points to open up a ten point lead, as they never let Boston cut into that lead down the stretch, pulling off the 96-83 win at TD Banknorth.

Luol Deng scored 25 points for Chicago, and was 9-10 from the foul line.  Derrick Rose was also huge for the Bulls, scoring 17 points, adding 8 rebounds, and dishing out 4 assists.

Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 20 points, but was only 6-18 from the field, and was clearly struggling out there without Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace.  The lack of big men truly hurt the Friars and they could not lock down the paint.

The Celtics will not play again until Monday night when they play the Dallas Mavericks (25-13) at home.