Bulls rally late without Rose to bump off Boston

CHICAGO | Derrick Rose claimed to be nearly pain free Thursday night but still took a seat next to Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau.

Despite the Celtics being in town, the league MVP missed his fourth straight game and ninth overall while recovering from back spasms.

Thibodeau let it be known he has that much confidence in his roster, particularly the bench.

"Derrick went through his (Thursday) workout, didn't have any problems, is feeling a lot better, but we're going to wait to see how he feels (today)," Thibodeau said before Chicago's 89-80 win at the packed United Center.

Thibodeau said the decision to hold Rose out was a "compilation" of Rose and the team's medical staff.

"His input is important," Thibodeau added. "As is our doctors and medical trainers. We're just looking at the total picture."

Trailing by 16 points in the third quarter, Boston used a 2-3 zone and three 3s from Ray Allen to end on a 22-7 run and trail only 60-59 entering the final period.

But a 13-0 run in the fourth gave Chicago an 82-69 advantage with 3:00 remaining and it was just a matter of hanging on.

Luol Deng and Carlos Boozer led Chicago (25-7) with 23 points apiece. Boozer also had 15 rebounds, one less than Joakim Noah, and Deng added 10 assists.

Well-traveled guard Mike James was huge off the bench with eight points and four assists.

"He was huge. He was in there grinding away, getting his nose in there," Noah said.

"I thank God for everything that happens in my life," James said. "I play the game with passion because I still love the game. That's what keeps me going.

"That's what makes me the first player in the gym and the last to leave. If coach calls my number, I'll be ready. If coach doesn't call my number, I'll still be ready."

Kevin Garnett's 18 points were high for the Celtics (15-14), who've lost four of their last five. 

"Obviously, we'd prefer to be at full strength," Thibodeau said. "But when you're shorthanded, and everybody goes through it, we feel confident we have more than enough to win with."

The Celtics had 33 fastbreak points Sunday in their 95-91 win over Chicago. Thursday, they had only 12.