Rose has 25 on return, Bulls top Celtics 88-79

BOSTON - The Chicago Bulls let a 20-point lead drop to one before Derrick Rose decided to take control, sore toe and all.

The NBA's reigning MVP knew he had to make the shot after Paul Pierce missed a jumper that would have given the Boston Celtics their first lead.

"That was my whole mindset, just getting to the hole if I was close enough to shoot the floater," Rose said after the Bulls won 88-79 on Friday night. "Just making sure that I was aggressive."

He made the layup, the Celtics missed their next shot, and Rose followed with two free throws. Suddenly, the Bulls led 71-66 with 8:30 remaining and stayed in front by at least five points the rest of the way.

Rose had missed Wednesday's 78-64 win over the Washington Wizards with a sprained left big toe. But he wasn't fully recovered when he scored 25 points to lead Chicago to its 10th win in 11 games and an NBA-best 11-2 record.

He said he was tentative at first to see how his toe felt but became comfortable midway through the first period.

Any pain?

"Not really," said Rose, who had 12 points after the lead fell to one. "It's probably because my adrenaline was going and I wanted to win."

He had plenty of help. Luol Deng had 21 points and 16 rebounds and played outstanding defense on Pierce, who missed nine of 12 shots. Carlos Boozer and Ronnie Brewer scored 12 each and Joakim Noah added 10 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks.

"I said before the game we would need everybody and we did," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. "I thought our starters played terrific. I thought our defense was very good."

Ray Allen scored 16 for Boston and Rajon Rondo had 14 points and 11 assists.

Boston lost its third straight game, all at home, and fell to 4-6.

"We're still young in the season and by no means is it discouraging," Allen said. "We know what's in us and we know what this team is capable of."

The Bulls led 52-33 at halftime and 61-41 on Deng's jumper from the top of the key with 7:20 left in the third quarter.

"I love what I saw in the second half," Boston coach Doc Rivers said. "My question to them: Why did it take so long? We got stops and the ball was moving," Rivers said. "When we got down everyone decided they were going to win the game for us. And, when that happens, you usually lose."

Associated Press