By Andrew Seligman
Associated Press
CHICAGO ó Paul Pierce took the initiative this time and the Boston Celtics seized control.
Pierce scored 24 points, Rajon Rondo added 20 and the defending champions beat the Chicago Bulls 107-86 on Thursday to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series.
The teams split two dramatic games in Boston, but this one never really was in doubt. The Celtics led by 11 after one quarter and 22 at the half on their way to an easy win behind Pierce and Rondo. Particularly Pierce.
“We know what kind of team we are,” Pierce said. “The way we played tonight is the way we want to play.”
Now Boston is in good shape heading into Game 4 on Sunday even though the injured Kevin Garnett is wearing a suit instead of a uniform these days.
Rondo looked just fine after spraining his right ankle in Game 2 and missing practice Tuesday, hitting eight of 15 shots, grabbing 11 rebounds and dishing out six assists. A teammate helped him down the hallway afterward, but he insisted he’s OK.
“The ankle’s fine,” said Rondo, averaging 22.7 points, 9.7 assists and 10.7 rebounds in the series.
Pierce was more than fine.
He asserted himself after two rather quiet games, hitting his first six shots and going 9 of 15 overall.
“In Game 1 and 2, I was a little indecisive, but I’m getting comfortable with what (the Bulls) want to do,” he said.
Ray Allen added 18 points, and Boston hit 12 of 21 3-pointers.
The Bulls covered the arena in rose petals in honor of Derrick Rose, who was named Rookie of the Year on Wednesday, but they couldn’t cover Pierce, Rondo or Allen. They couldn’t hang onto the ball. They couldn’t shoot, and they couldn’t hit their free throws.
It was that kind of night.
The Bulls committed 22 turnovers, shot 37.5 percent from the field and were 17-for-27 at the line after going 46-for-51 in the first two games.
Ben Gordon scored 15 points on 5-of-13 shooting after pouring in 42 in Game 2, while John Salmons added 14 points.
Rose, who scored 36 as the Bulls won the opener in overtime, got outplayed for the second straight game by Rondo, finishing with nine points, seven turnovers and two assists.
Pierce went right at the Bulls, scoring 13 in the first quarter as the Celtics grabbed a 32-21 lead. He drove, buried jumpers and scored from all angles.
“I thought he set the tone for us,” coach Doc Rivers said. “I thought he came out extremely aggressive and attacked early. He played the perfect decoy but was aggressive at the same time. I thought it was beautiful how he played.”