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Bulls, Celtics wrap up season series

Jan 16, 2015 - 2:39 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Chicago Bulls will try to get back on track amid a two-game losing streak, starting Friday night in a trip to TD Bank Garden to face the Boston Celtics.

The Bulls dropped their last two games, both at home. On Monday, they fell to the Orlando Magic and on Wednesday, the Washington Wizards left the Windy City with a 105-99 victory.

Derrick Rose tallied 32 points and five assists to lead Chicago, which has dropped four of its last five contests. Jimmy Butler and Pau Gasol both had 13, while Taj Gibson and Nikola Mirotic both finished with 12.

Joakim Noah left in the second quarter with an ankle injury. He is listed as questionable, while Mike Dunleavy is still out with a right ankle problem.

The Bulls led by six at the half, but Washington began the third on an 11-3 flurry to go in front. A Gibson dunk capped an 8-2 run to claw the Bulls within 83-82 prior to the midway point of the fourth quarter, but the Wizards responded with a 12-3 surge to regain control.

Chicago never got within six the rest of the way.

"It went the total opposite way for us," Rose said of the second half.

The Bulls allowed the Wizards to shoot 51.3 percent for the game. Chicago did shoot 48.1 percent from long range, highlighted by a 6-for-9 performance from Rose.

The Celtics have lost three of four, but continued to transform their roster. On Thursday, the team announced a three-team trade that sent Austin Rivers to the Los Angeles Clippers. Boston received Chris Douglas-Roberts, Shavlik Randolph and a 2017 second-round pick.

In a related move, the Celtics waived Nate Robinson, who they acquired earlier in the week from the Denver Nuggets.

On the court, the C's fell to the smoking-hot Atlanta Hawks, 105-91, on Wednesday. Atlanta rested starters Al Horford and Kyle Korver, but it didn't matter.

Avery Bradley led the Celtics with 17 points on 6-of-13 shooting. Boston also got 14 points and nine boards from Jared Sullinger as the Celtics fell for the third time in their last four home games.

Kelly Olynyk scored 12 off the bench and Marcus Thornton rounded out the double-figure scorers with 10.

Evan Turner injured his thumb in the loss, but should be fine for Friday.

"I'm not really worried about shooting. The biggest thing is playing great defense and distributing," said Turner. "I think I'll be alright. I'll be fine."

Sullinger and James Young were sent home from practice with an illness, but both are expected to be available against the Bulls.

Friday's matchup will be the fourth and final meeting this season between the teams. The Bulls have won two of three this season and five of the last six encounters overall. Chicago has taken three of its last four visits to Boston.