NBA Scores Eastern Conference Playoffs: Boston Celtics Back on Track After Blowing Out Chicago Bulls to Take Series Lead

Rajon Rondo scored 20 points, dished out 6 assists, grabbed 11 rebounds and collected 5 steals, Glen Davis added 14 points and 9 boards and Paul Pierce finished with 24 points as the Boston Celtics blasted the Chicago Bulls 107-86 on Thursday night to take a 2-1 lead in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference playoff series.

Boston came into Chicago ready to play and they set the standard in the first quarter as they used a 10-2 run midway through the frame to build a 23-12 cushion and after the Bulls trimmed their deficit to 27-21 with1:30 left the Celtics added a layup from Stephon Marbury and a three-pointer from Rondo to carry a 32-21 lead into the second. Chicago tried to stay close as they managed to get within seven a couple times but the Celtics maintained a double-digit lead for most of the frame and then closed the half on a 9-0 run with three-pointers from Marbury and a pair from Ray Allen and the lead at the break was 59-37.

The Celtics never let up in the second half as they extended their lead to 26 in the opening minutes of the third quarter and led by as many as 28 before ending the frame with an 83-58 advantage. It didn’t get any better for the Bulls in the fourth as the Celtics continued to hit open jumpers and after three-pointers from Eddie House and Brian Scalabrine Boston with 4:58 on the clock the lead was 102-68 and Chicago was just waiting for the horn to sound.

The Boston defense held the Bulls to 37 percent shooting and forced 22 turnovers which turned into 24 points.