Celtics Recover to Crush Bulls 107-82

[December 22, 2007]  BOSTON (AP) -- Paul Pierce scored 15 of his 22 points in the third quarter, going 4-for-4 from 3-point range in the third before sitting out the fourth on Friday night as the Boston Celtics pulled away from the Chicago Bulls to win 107-82.  [Caption: Boston Celtics' Kendrick Perkins (43) and Chicago Bulls' Joe Smith (32) battle for the ball in the first quarter of a basketball game, Friday, Dec. 21, 2007, in Boston.  (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)]

Recovering quickly from their only home loss of the season, Boston never trailed in the game and never gave up its double-digit lead after scoring 10 consecutive points to make it 40-22 with 7:50 left in the first half. Pierce added seven rebounds and Ray Allen scored 18 for the Celtics, who still have the best record in the NBA (21-3) despite Wednesday's last-second loss to the Detroit Pistons.

Ben Gordon scored 19 for Chicago, and rookie Aaron Gray had 14 to reach a career-high for his second consecutive game filling in for the injured Ben Wallace. Tyrus Thomas grabbed nine rebounds for the Bulls, who had won eight straight against Boston before losing in their first matchup this season.

Chicago seemed to have the answer for Pierce, holding him to 10 points or fewer in three of the previous four games - including a season-low eight points twice last year. Guarded by Luol Deng, Pierce missed five of his first seven shots on Friday before getting on target in the third, hitting three 3-pointers and three free throws in a six minute span that helped Boston turn a 16-point lead into an 84-61 blowout.

Kevin Garnett, who had 12 points and seven rebounds, also sat out the entire fourth quarter. Garnett had a scare late in the first half when he was poked in the right eye by Joakim while fighting for a rebound; he did not leave the game.

Wallace missed his second consecutive game with bone spurs in his left foot.

Boston led by as many as 22 points in the first half.

Notes:@ Red Sox owner John Henry was sitting courtside. New England Patriots tight end Benjamin Watson helped the Celtics' mascot with a stunt dunk between the third and fourth quarter. ... The 24-second clock went out late in the third quarter, and the public address announcer called out when there were 10 seconds left.

[Associated Press; By JIMMY GOLEN]

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