CHICAGO: Derrick Rose came on strong after a slow start to finish with 34 points as the Chicago Bulls beat the Atlanta Hawks 94-76 Friday to move within half a game of NBA Eastern Conference leader Boston. The Bulls used a strong third quarter to prevail on a night when Carlos Boozer sat out with a sprained left ankle. Leading the way was Rose with 18 points in the period as the Bulls outscored Atlanta 24-10 to turn a two-point halftime deficit into a 72-60 lead.Luol Deng shook off a bruised thigh to add 18 points. 76ers 89, Celtics 86: In Philadelphia, Spencer Hawes had 14 points and 10 rebounds as Philadelphia edged Boston. Elton Brand scored 14 points for the Sixers, who led by 10 points and controlled the Celtics for most of the fourth quarter. The Celtics missed eight straight baskets over a 6-minute span late in the fourth to lose only their eighth conference game of the season. Lou Williams' jumper just a shade over the 5-minute mark put the Sixers ahead 83-81 and they never trailed again. Jodie Meeks made two free throws after he was hammered by Paul Pierce on a fast break attempt and the Sixers came away with one of their biggest wins of the season. Nenad Krstic had 16 points and 15 rebounds for the Celtics. Warriors 123, Magic 120, OT: In Oakland, Golden State used some hot shooting to come from 21 points down and stun Orlando in an overtime win. Spurs 108, Kings 103: In San Antonio, the hosts made it 11 straight wins over Sacramento. Bobcats 97, Trail Blazers 92: In Charlotte, Stephen Jackson scored 18 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter, including the go-ahead three-point play, as Charlotte defeated Portland. Thunder 104, Pistons 94: In Oklahoma City, Kevin Durant scored 24 points to help Oklahoma City beat Detroit. Timberwolves 122, Jazz 101: In Minneapolis, Kevin Love had 24 points and 12 rebounds to extend the longest double-double streak since 1973-74 to 53 straight games, and help Minnesota down Utah. Nets 102, Clippers 98, OT: In Newark, New Jersey, Brook Lopez and Jordan Farmar each scored 24 points, combining for all of New Jersey's overtime scoring, and the Nets rallied to beat Los Angeles. Raptors 108, Pacers 98: In Toronto, the hosts sent Indiana to a sixth consecutive defeat.
