Bulls Defeat Celtics, NBA Scores

Pau Gasol was so in tune he gave a performance even one of the greatest tenors could appreciate.

Gasol had 17 points and 18 rebounds with Placido Domingo looking on, and the Chicago Bulls beat the Boston Celtics 101-92 on Thursday night for their sixth straight victory.

"When our main players play at our highest level, we're a really good team," Gasol said.

The Bulls, who looked like they were coming apart not too long ago, certainly appear to be hitting the right notes.

Gasol had his 19th double-double. And as if that wasn't enough, he was planning to have dinner with his countryman Domingo, who was in town to perform.

"He's a basketball fan, he's a sports fan," Gasol said. "He's here for a performance. I wish he was just here to visit me, but that doesn't work that way. He's a guy that I truly admire. I have a great friendship, relationship, with him."

As good as Gasol was, this was hardly a one-man show.

Derrick Rose scored 18 points. Jimmy Butler added 19 points and 10 assists.

The Bulls used a big third quarter to extend their longest win streak of the season and handed the Celtics their fourth loss in five games.

Thursday, January 7 Scoreboard

Atlanta 126, Philadelphia 98

Chicago 101, Boston 92
    
Houston 103, Utah 94
    
Sacramento 118, Los Angeles 115

Friday, January 8 Schedule (All Times Central)

Toronto at Washington, 6 p.m.

Orlando at Brooklyn, 6:30 p.m.

Denver at Memphis, 7 p.m.

Cleveland at Minnesota, 7 p.m.

Indiana at New Orleans, 7 p.m.

Dallas at Milwaukee, 7 p.m.

New York at San Antonio, 7:30 p.m.

Miami at Phoenix, 8:30 p.m.

Golden State at Portland, 9 p.m.

Oklahoma City at Los Angeles, 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, January 9 Schedule (All Times Central)

Charlotte at Los Angeles, 2:30 p.m.

Chicago at Atlanta, 4 p.m.

Washington at Orlando, 6 p.m.

Brooklyn at Detroit, 6:30 p.m.

Toronto at Philadelphia, 6:30 p.m.

Miami at Utah, 8 p.m.

Golden State at Sacramento, 9 p.m.

Sunday, January 10 Schedule (All Times Central)

New Orleans at Los Angeles, 2:30 p.m.

Dallas at Minnesota, 4 p.m.

Cleveland at Philadelphia, 5 p.m.

Boston at Memphis, 5 p.m.

Indiana at Houston, 6 p.m.

Milwaukee at New York, 6:30 p.m.

Charlotte at Denver, 7 p.m.

Oklahoma City at Portland, 8 p.m.

Utah at Los Angeles, 8:30 p.m.