Thomas’ big game leads Bulls past Boston

Wallace added to his season high point total with 16 rebounds, four assists and three blocks. Kirk Hinrich notched 15 points with six boards and six assists, and Ben Gordon contributed 11 points in the victory, Chicago’s third straight overall and its eighth in a row over Boston.

The Bulls swept a home-and-home after downing the Celtics, 94-78, at TD Banknorth Garden on Sunday.

Paul Pierce scored a game-high 24 points, and Delonte West and Al Jefferson contributed 19 points apiece for the Celtics, who have dropped two straight and three of four.

In a microcosm of the Celtics season, the team wearing green came out on top Tuesday night — and it wasn’t Boston. Chicago wore green uniforms in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day then went out and completed a season series sweep.

The Bulls went on an 8-0 spurt late in the third quarter, taking a 68-62 lead on Thomas’ free throw with 2:54 on the clock. Thomas capped the quarter with an alley-oop slam to post the Bulls to a 75-69 edge.

The Celtics pulled within five points on multiple occasions in the final 12 minutes, for the last time at 92-87 with 28 seconds left. Deng then drained one free throw, and Pierce’s three-pointer went halfway down and spun out to end any hope of a comeback.

Boston led 29-26 after one stanza, but saw the Bulls score the initial eight points of the second period to grab a 34-29 lead. P.J. Brown finished the stretch with a pair from the charity stripe.

Chicago held a 50-47 lead at the break.

Game Notes

Chicago improved to 25-8 at home this season...Boston dropped to 10-22 away from home...The Bulls, a perimeter-oriented team, attempted just two three- pointers. Meanwhile, Boston shot 6-of-20 from beyond the arc...The Bulls finished with a 46-32 edge on the backboards...The game featured seven ties and 16 lead changes...Attendance was 22,396.