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Bulls in command as Celtics stumble
GETTING THE JOB DONE:
Chicago won by a clear 20 points as things went from sad to worse for Boston with All-Star Paul Pierce scoring a season-low four points
AP, CHICAGO
Saturday, Feb 14, 2004, Page 20
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Boston Celtics' Chris Mihm, left, dunks the ball over Chicago Bulls' Eddy Curry during the first quarter at the United Center in Chicago on Thursday.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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Rookie Kirk Hinrich set a season high with 14 assists and matched a best with 23 points on Thursday in the Chicago Bulls' 107-87 victory over the Boston Celtics.
Hours after Chicago's Jerome Williams criticized some of his teammates for not knowing the plays, the Bulls responded with their most lopsided victory of the season.
"I wanted to have a good game, I wasn't happy with the way I played last game," said Hinrich, who had two points Tuesday night against the Pacers. "Everyone took it upon themselves to do their jobs."
Jamal Crawford, who led the Bulls with 27 points, and Hinrich took turns hitting 3-pointers against Boston's soft defense. Hinrich made six 3s, Crawford had four, and Chicago finished 11-of-23 from long range.
"Kirk had it going. I just tried to play off him," Crawford said. "We had it going together. I think it opened up stuff for everybody else."
The Bulls, especially Crawford, played tough defense on Boston All-Star Paul Pierce. Pierce managed just four points -- matching a season low -- as Boston fell to 1-7 under interim coach John Carroll. Chris Mihm led the Celtics with 14 points.
The have placed veteran Scottie Pippen on the injured reserve list with a sore left knee, the team said on Thursday.
Nuggets 107, Trail Blazers 98
In Portland, Oregon, Voshon Lenard had 31 points to help Denver beat the new-look Portland.
Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Theo Ratliff and Dan Dickau made their first appearances for the Blazers, three days after joining Portland in a trade that sent temperamental star Rasheed Wallace and reserve Wesley Person to Atlanta.
Abdur-Rahim led the Blazers with 20 points and 12 rebounds, and Ratliff had 14 points and 10 rebounds. Rookie Carmelo Anthony added 27 points for Denver.
SuperSonics 94, Raptors 74
In Seattle, Ray Allen scored 23 points, and Rashard Lewis had 22 points and nine rebounds as the SuperSonics downed Toronto.
Alvin Williams led the Raptors with a season-high 20 points, Vince Carter had 19 on 8-for-21 shooting, and Donyell Marshall added 16 points and 17 rebounds.
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