Unbeaten Celtics stop Bulls in their tracks

Boston: 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 defence and offensively took our time," Allen told reporters.

"When we have [our bench playing well] it takes a lot of pressure off 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.

Added depth

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.

Offseason 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.

Results
(home team in CAPS)

CHARLOTTE 102 NY Knicks 100

PHILADELPHIA 99 Milwaukee 86

ATLANTA 100 Washington 89

BOSTON 118 Chicago 90

Oklahoma City 91 DETROIT 83

Miami 96 INDIANA 83

MEMPHIS 115 Toronto 107

Cleveland 104 MINNESOTA 87

Orlando 95 NEW JERSEY 85

NEW ORLEANS 97 Sacramento 92

UTAH 111 LA Clippers 98

PHOENIX 123 Golden State 101

Dallas 94 LA LAKERS 80