Chicago 111, Boston 106
Game Flow
CHICAGO -- Michael Jordan scored 12 of his 21 points in the first quarter as the Chicago Bulls hung on for their eighth win in a row, 111-106 over the hapless Boston Celtics on Tuesday.
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Michael Jordan flies to the hoop over Todd Day.
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Jason Caffey added 16 points and nine rebounds and Toni Kukoc also scored 16 points for the Bulls, who won their 29th consecutive home game and are four wins away from tying the best home record in NBA history (40-1) set by the 1985-86 Celtics. Chicago went 39-2 at home last season.
David Wesley recorded 31 points and seven assists and Antoine Walker had 27 points and 10 boards for Boston, which has dropped six games in a row and 14 of its last 15.
"Tonight was just an example of a good team playing a bad one," Wesley said. "The only good thing was we were getting valuable minutes that let us learn and grow."
Luc Longley scored 10 of his 12 points in the first quarter as Chicago raced to a 35-15 lead. The Bulls made 15 of 23 field goals, compared to six of 22 by Boston. Chicago also held a commanding 17-6 advantage on the boards.
"We came out of the blocks quick and played a good first quarter," said Jordan. "It's important to have nights like this, where the regulars get some rest. It also gives the second team opportunities to play and prepare for the playoffs."
Chicago held its biggest lead of the fourth quarter, 92-74 less than two minutes into the period. The Bulls were up 109-93 with 2:24 to play and the subs on the floor, but Wesley hit a jumper and three consecutive layups to close it to 109-101 with 48.3 seconds remaining.
Chicago's Steve Kerr responded with a short jumper before Walker nailed two free throws and Michael Hawkins hit a 3-pointer for the final margin.
"We just dug a hole that was too deep to get out of," Walker said. "We played better in the second half, but when you get down to a team like the Bulls, there's no coming back."
Kerr scored 13 points and Scottie Pippen had 11 points and seven assists for Chicago, which shot 56 percent (43 for 77) from the floor, but committed 24 turnovers.
"I thought we played a rather lackluster game in the second half," Bulls coach Phil Jackson said. "In the first half, we had a good run and got the kind of minutes and effort we wanted from out starters. The rest was not pretty to watch. Our 20-plus turnovers were an embarrassment."
Conlon and Rick Fox each chipped in 14 points for Boston, which made 19 of 23 free throws, but was just five for 21 from 3-point range and blocked one shot.
