BOSTON, (Reuters) – The Boston Celtics blasted the Chicago Bulls 118-90 on Friday to maintain their unbeaten start to the new NBA season.
Paul Pierce and Eddie House each scored 22 points while Ray Allen contributed 20 as the Celtics improved to 3-0.
The meeting was a rematch of the epic seven-game series between the teams in the first round of last year’s playoffs.
Boston outscored the Bulls 67-44 over the second and third quarters to seize control.
“We buckled down on defense and offensively took our time,” Allen told reporters.
“When we have (our bench playing well) it takes a lot of pressure off of us and other teams don’t know where our attack is coming from. We definitely like the way we look right now.”
Joakim Noah had 16 points and 10 rebounds and Jannero Pargo had 13 points for the Bulls, who appeared sluggish in their second game in as many nights.
Chicago opened the season with a 92-85 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday.
Kevin Garnett had 16 points for the Celtics as he continues his comeback from a knee injury that forced him to miss 25 games including the playoffs last year.
Boston were without their All-Star forward in last season’s playoffs matchup with the Bulls that included four overtime games before the Celtics ultimately prevailed.
At full strength this year, Boston began their campaign with an opening win over the Cleveland Cavaliers and a 92-59 blowout of the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday.
Off-season signing Rasheed Wallace has provided the team with added depth so far, and he chipped in seven points while point guard Rajon Rondo collected 16 assists and eight rebounds.
The Celtics took a 50-35 lead into halftime before stepping on the gas in the third where Pierce scored 20 and made five three-pointers.
Last season’s Rookie of the Year, Derrick Rose, had a quiet 10 points as the Bulls shot just 41 per cent from the field.
