The defending NBA Champion Boston Celtics improved to 2-0 on the young season with a 96-80 win over the Chicago Bulls at the TD Banknorth Garden on Friday night.
The Celtics pretty much led wire to wire as they jumped out to an early 11 point lead and expanded it to 18 at half time 49-31. They eased off abit in the second half as the Bulls outscored them in the third quarter, which last seasonm on the way to the franchises 17th title, was on most nights the teams strongest period.
Boston’s Kevin Garnett became the youngest player in NBA history to play 1,000 games doing so at age 32 and 165 days. He notched a double-double with 18 points and 10 boards. Three other Boston starters, captain Paul Pierce, former UConn standout Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo, each had 14 points in the win.
Chicago rookie Derek Rose led the Bulls with 18 points, Tyrus Thomas and another former UConn player, Ben Gordon both added 11 points in the loss as Chicago drops to 1-1.
The Celtics are back in action tomorrow night on the road against the Indiana Pacers.
