Bulls, Celtics battle for their playoff lives in Boston

The Bulls ended a four-game slide with Friday’s 96-82 win over the Hornets at the United Center. Ben Gordon came off the bench to net 25 points and Luol Deng posted 17 points and seven boards for Chicago.

Tyson Chandler pulled down a season-high 21 boards and Othella Harrington added 16 points for Chicago, who are closing in on the Philadelphia 76ers for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Chicago has lost its last three road games and is 14-21 away from the United Center this season.

Meanwhile, the Celtics are also creeping on Philadelphia, but losses in five of their last seven games have hampered the chances a bit.

On Friday, Boston dropped a 94-82 decision to the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena.

Paul Pierce scored 24 points, grabbed five boards and dished out five assists, while Delonte West recorded 14 points and seven assists.

The Celtics are 4-2 in their last six home games and 20-15 at TD Banknorth Garden this season.

Sunday’s game is the third of four meetings this season between Chicago and Boston. The Bulls have won both meetings this season and three in a row against Boston.

Chicago has won seven of the last 10 meetings overall and two in a row at Boston.