Not close this time: Celtics rout Bulls 118-90

Oct 30, 11:37 pm EDT

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BOSTON (AP)—Kevin Garnett(notes) was an impressed spectator while he was still on the court.

Paul Pierce(notes) scored 20 of his 22 points in the third quarter, and the Boston Celtics rolled to a 118-90 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Friday night in the teams’ first matchup since last spring’s thrilling seven-game playoff series.

“That was beautiful to watch,” Garnett said of the scoring by dominance by Pierce and teammate Ray Allen(notes) one quarter earlier. “To watch those two play and build the lead up while they were in there.”

Allen, who finished with 20 points, scored nine of Boston’s last 13 in the second as it opened a 50-35 halftime edge.

Pierce then hit five 3-pointers after intermission, building the Celtics’ lead to 88-61 after three quarters.

“When Ray and Paul are making shots like that, that’s pretty darn good,” Boston coach Doc Rivers said.

Garnett, who missed the final 25 games of the regular season and the playoffs with strained ligaments in his right knee, added 16 points. Rajon Rondo(notes) had 16 assists and eight rebounds as the Celtics improved to 3-0.

Eddie House(notes) came off the Boston bench and was shooting freely in garbage time, finishing with 22 points.

John Salmons(notes) led the Bulls (1-1) with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Jannero Pargo(notes) had 13 points, and Tyrus Thomas(notes) and Joakim Noah(notes) 10 apiece.

“It’s an early season test for us and we didn’t respond real well,” Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro said. “In the third they just jumped on us. We weren’t physical enough. They’re difficult to contend with.”

Unlike their opening-round playoff series that saw the teams play a record seven overtime quarters in four games and had one game decided in the closing seconds, Boston broke this one open early in the first half.

The Celtics pushed their lead to double digits for the first time at 29-19 on Sheldon Williams’ fast-break layup early in the second quarter.

The Bulls closed the deficit to nine points on Noah’s basket less than a minute later, but it was the last time they’d be within single digits.

That’s when Allen took over, using screens to get open and hitting all three field goal attempts. He was also 4 for 4 from the free throw line.

Boston looked determined to put away the Bulls quickly in the second half, with Pierce nailing his five 3s in the third quarter to make it a blowout.

“When you’re a scorer and you make a couple, you feel like you’re on fire,” Pierce said.

Garnett heard Pierce say it was time to break open the game, then watched his teammate personally do it.

“Paul said in the locker room, `Let’s open the third quarter big and stay aggressive,”’ Garnett said.

Chicago shot fairly well in the third, hitting 12 of 22 attempts, but it was no match for Boston’s 15 of 20.

“That’s when they took off,” Chicago guard Derrick Rose(notes) said. “They were hitting every shot.”

Notes: Allen passed Hall of Famer John Stockton for 33rd place on the NBA’s career scoring list. … Celtics F Glen “Big Baby” Davis spoke for the first time since an early morning fight with a childhood friend the day before the season opener left him sidelined for at least five weeks with a broken right thumb. Executive VP Danny Ainge said the club elected not to suspend him, but fined him an undisclosed amount. … Noah was given a technical for swatting at the ball while a Celtics player was holding it after the whistle blew midway into the second quarter. … The Celtics took their team photo about 2 1/2 hours prior to the game. … Pierce played 31 minutes, Garnett 25 and Allen 24.

Updated Oct 30, 11:37 pm EDT
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93 Comments

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  1. Bears Fan
    93. Posted by Bears Fan Thu Nov 5 12:30am EST

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    this is a long season! anything can happen? Teams go thru a whole seasons and learn to mesh well together, and when the impossible happens and the bulls beat the celtics in the playoffs don't be crying, cause they deserve it, bulls are usually a slow starter and that was there second game of the years which doesn't mean squat...
  2. Dian
    92. Posted by Dian Mon Nov 2 2:54pm EST

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    @#$% celtic go lakers.....
  3. BMW
    91. Posted by BMW Sun Nov 1 1:32pm EST

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    The Celtics look extremely dangerous! They have played solid defense 3 games. If they defend like this all season, they will have a strong chance to finish with the best record in the NBA. Right now, they defend and have too many scoring options for teams to struggle getting 90 points!
  4. Michael
    90. Posted by Michael Sun Nov 1 12:28am EDT

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    Nice to see so many dedicated Laker fans here. You can see the worry and the anger of these fans. Acuually it fun to see these fans come out of there skins. Are the Celtics really that good? You betcha. and they dont have to say a thing. People are watching, and really concerned for the rest of the NBA teams. Sheed,Daniels must really scare people. Let's face it, fans are worried to
  5. annoyed
    89. Posted by annoyed Sat Oct 31 8:28pm EDT

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    The Lakers are YOURRRRR NBA World Champions baby!

    Defending the title.

    Repeat coming up.
  6. Steven
    88. Posted by Steven Sat Oct 31 8:16pm EDT

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    does anyone know how old number 45 weekender is?
  7. miguel r
    87. Posted by miguel r Sat Oct 31 7:02pm EDT

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    Celtics dominant as always when there healthy and lakers still being@#$%y when they beat bad teams like the clippers and almost get blown out by dallas. Big baby coming back will be a big help but i'm more worried about rondo sighning an extension by tuesday deadline. If rondo gets offered more money by another team like powe the celtics might get screwed here. Daniels can handle ok but hes not a true playmaker. Not sure what point guards are available as free agents in case this does happen but I'm sure they will find a way to sweet talk rondo in to staying. Just hope hes not pissed off about the trade rumors that went on over the summer cause that will really mess up the teams chemistry if they lose rondo.
  8. Paul
    86. Posted by Paul Sat Oct 31 3:22pm EDT

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    just wait to the celtics get big baby back this year. the big four must tell him keep his head straight.with garnett that should,t be a problem.he does have maturity issues.lets go for 18.
    go celtics.grow up big baby i want you to do good.
  9. Kevin
    85. Posted by Kevin Sat Oct 31 1:52pm EDT

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    This Celtics team will literally take a warm @#$% on every single f***ing team's face. Lakers, Spurs, Cavs, anyone! We are the most dominant team in the NBA, the only thing that could stop us from a championship is injury.

    So all of you saying the Celtics are garbage, go @#$% yourselves. Don't be idiots, this team will dominate anyone.
  10. partofasocialorder
    84. Posted by partofasocialorder Sat Oct 31 12:29pm EDT

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    Post 85.

    Bwaaahhhahahahahahaha ..... The idiot always has a bitter taste in his mouth!!!!
  11. partofasocialorder
    83. Posted by partofasocialorder Sat Oct 31 12:22pm EDT

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    Post 69.

    By the way, "Imbecile," not a true Lakers fan, but I do favor them to win another title ever since "Smell-tics" fans like you started chanting "Beat L.A." back in 1984 .... when the NBA league office let dorky Kevin McHale get away with clotheslining Kurt Rambis with dirty "Smell-tics" play.
  12. <i>snoop_ken3</i>
    82. Posted by snoop_ken3 Sat Oct 31 12:20pm EDT

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    post 66.


    are u a gay
    ur talking like a gay hahaha.. old gay..

    lakers back 2 back... bOOooomm
    its only their second game
    small thing !
  13. partofasocialorder
    81. Posted by partofasocialorder Sat Oct 31 12:09pm EDT

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    Post 69.

    What kind of intelligent imbecile are you to ask me if I came up with burbing out "Smell-tics" on my own???? You are pretty lame yourself asking imbecile questions!!!!
  14. <i>snoop_ken3</i>
    80. Posted by snoop_ken3 Sat Oct 31 12:02pm EDT

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    All of the lakers
    haters=gays
    hahahaa
    thats it.. lakers all da way baby !
    boston swept by orlando in playoffs
    kg= crying huhuhuh...
    wahhhahahaahhaha
  15. John C
    79. Posted by John C Sat Oct 31 12:01pm EDT

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    I am the biggest laker fan you will find.....i hate the celtics going back to the 70's and 80's rivalries......but i do very much respect them.......this celtic team this year will be very tough!!!!!!!!!!!.....i don't think that there is anyone in the east that will be able to deal with them, period!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.....so celtic fans i will tell you, if you remain healthy thru the year, you are going to be there in the end, believe me........hate to admit it, but i am a realist, believeling in reality....you have a lot to cheer about....if lakers and celtics meet in the finals, it will be epic, and being a realist, the lakers will have a very hard time, if they even have a chance....yes the celtics i think are that good......i certainly hope that they meet in the finals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.....
  16. <i>snoop_ken3</i>
    78. Posted by snoop_ken3 Sat Oct 31 11:58am EDT

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    Boston celtics=garbage team
    sheed=look like a crocodile
    kg=super big mouth triple xl...
    daniels= predator whahahahahahahahahahah !!! wat a f@ck look at the face of daniels !!! so ugghhh...
  17. Carl Childers
    77. Posted by Carl Childers Sat Oct 31 11:27am EDT

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    Pierce, Garnett and Allen in a total of 80 minutes ? They're going to have to build a LOUNGE next to the Celtics' bench. Meanwhile, Lakers really looked good at home last night, didn't they ? Heh, heh, heh...
  18. Blazerfan07
    76. Posted by Blazerfan07 Sat Oct 31 11:13am EDT

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    Well, looks like the Lakers took a good beating last night. I think it was great to show the world they are not the toughest ball club out there. Yeah the Celtics look pretty good this year. I think they will give the Cavs and the Magic a very hard time.

    Anyway, I just hope my Blazers get it together and defeat the Lakers or whoever winds up there in the western conference finals. I think with Miller, Howard, and the development of Greg O and all star caliber of B-Roy how can you doubt them not getting that far. Anyway its a long year, we shall see what happends.
  19. jvaz
    75. Posted by jvaz Sat Oct 31 10:25am EDT

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    This CELTIC TEAM will be the best ever. BIRD RUSSELL and the rest enjoy!!!!!come in june and celebrate with the next best team ever.

    PS. FAKERS no matter how many stars you put in the back of your warmups somebody will always have more.....take a guess....thats right...THE BOSTON CELTICS your worst nightmare.....
    have a good day
  20. Art Vandelay
    74. Posted by Art Vandelay Sat Oct 31 9:59am EDT

    Report Abuse

    Dre,

    My advice to you is go pick up a ball and play...WHOOPS, you suck! You can't compete at the level. My bad...

    Now let me go spend my money to watch these guys play a game....BECAUSE I CAN AFFORD TO, AND I CHOOSE TO).

    If everybody quits watching these guys, they won't get paid. But the problem with your complaining is....people want to watch them. It is more fun than going to watch a teacher work, a fireman work, a policeman work...etc. Sorry if the truth hurts
  21. agent47
    73. Posted by agent47 Sat Oct 31 9:56am EDT

    Report Abuse

    all NBA teams are best but CELTICS is the better so what can we do and all those @#$% critics just shot your @#$% mouth nuts,garbbage,stupid im a #1 celtics fanatics so what?
  22. annoyed
    72. Posted by annoyed Sat Oct 31 9:53am EDT

    Report Abuse

    The Bulls are still the better team. Celtics are old, soft pu$$ies.

    LAKERS REPEAT IN 2009-10 BABY!
  23. The man your mom loves
    71. Posted by The man your mom loves Sat Oct 31 9:45am EDT

    Report Abuse

    How is any Laker fan on this page talking trash...Your team has to be blowing out the other team..Not be blown out.....LEts go Celtic....And lakers work on beating the MAVs...
  24. Marlon
    70. Posted by Marlon Sat Oct 31 9:05am EDT

    Report Abuse

    Damn, Boston is still the team to beat. They have better rotation of players this time, and Rondo keeps getting better and better. Other teams must come up with plan to shut this team down.
  25. pedalpoetman
    69. Posted by pedalpoetman Sat Oct 31 8:56am EDT

    Report Abuse

    Can't harldy wait 6 weeks wait to see the youngs (Rondo BBD Perk) out there with M. Daniels & E. House. SPEED!
    Why, who can forget BBD stealing, driving solo & dunking? Oh yeah. The only beat-down he's gonna get is from his own team mates. So if you're a Fakers Lan (dorry, I'm syslexic hahaha) and you can pick apart matchups with those 5, don't forget CPP, #5, Mt. Sheed, and Jesus resting there on the pine.
    And personally? Can't wait til the Mavs smack LA down. Again.
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Top Performers

 Top Performers
 Chicago
J. Noah Joakim Noah
7-10,  16 Pts
10 Rebs, 4 Assists
 Boston
P. Pierce Paul Pierce
8-12,  22 Pts
8 Rebs, 4 Assists

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