CHICAGO, April 6 (UPI) -- Luol Deng's 26 points and Carlos Boozer's 14 rebounds Thursday lifted Chicago to a 93-86 win over Boston that snapped the Bulls' two-game skid.
Chicago played its 12th straight game without defending league MVP Derrick Rose, who missed the contest with a strained groin despite going through all of the team's workout earlier in the day.
The Bulls hope to have Rose back for their next contest Sunday.
Chicago shot only 41 percent from the field but overcame an 11-point deficit late in the first half. Joakim Noah added 17 points and C.J. Watson had 15.
The Bulls moved 2 1/2 games in front of Miami for the best record in the Eastern Conference and handed the Celtics their second straight loss. Boston is only a game in front of Philadelphia for the top spot in the Atlantic Division.
Paul Pierce, named Wednesday as the player of the month in the East, scored 22 points to lead Boston. Brandon Bass added 15.
