Jimmy Butler hit four free throws late in the game and finished with 22 points, Derrick Rose scored 21 points and the Chicago Bulls pulled out a 109-102 win over the Boston Celtics on Friday.
Pau Gasol had 15 points and 15 rebounds, and Joakim Noah added 15 points with 14 boards for the Bulls, who had lost four of their previous six games. Boston has lost six of seven.
Jared Sullinger led Boston with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Avery Bradley had 18 points and Brandon Bass 16 with nine boards. Rajon Rondo had eight points, seven rebounds and nine assists for the Celtics.
Butler’s two free throws tied it with 80 seconds to play. Rondo missed two free throws and Sullinger front-rimmed an attempted 3 before Butler’s two free throws put the Bulls ahead for good, 104-102, with 51 seconds left. Noah nailed a short jumper on Chicago’s next possession.