Boston takes on Bulls in Windy City

This is the fourth and final meeting of the campaign between the clubs. The Bulls won the three previous contests, as they picked up a pair of wins on the road and defeated the Celtics, 118-86, on December 17th at the United Center.

The Bulls have won four in a row in this series. Boston has lost three of its last four at Chicago.

Boston plays the middle contest of a three-game road trip. On Wednesday, Paul Pierce and Wally Szczerbiak both scored 22 points to lead the Celtics to a 123-98 thumping of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

Delonte West ended with 21 points and Ryan Gomes registered 15 points and 13 rebounds in the win over New York for the Celtics, who ended a two-game slide and won for just the third time in their last nine games overall.

The Celtics are 10-26 on the road this season. They are scheduled to visit the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday at Air Canada Centre.

Boston is also trying to stay in the Eastern Conference playoff race, trailing the Philadelphia 76ers by 3 1/2 games.

Meanwhile, the Bulls are still 1 1/2 games behind the 76ers for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Chicago defeated the Charlotte Bobcats on Friday night by a 113-105 score. Andres Nocioni posted 24 points and 11 rebounds, while Luol Deng scored 21 points for the Bulls, who have won three of four.

After the Bulls host Boston they will welcome Indiana to the United Center.

The Bulls are 16-19 at home this season.