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BOSTON -- Chicagos D. Desmond Trufant Jersey .J. Augustin put an end to a series of pesky rallies by the Boston Celtics. Augustin hit a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 2:01 remaining, then continued a perfect night from the foul line while scoring a career-high 33 points for the Bulls in a 107-102 win over Boston. Augustin scored 15 in the fourth, including six points from the foul line as the Bulls held off the slumping Celtics. "Even though we didnt play great defence tonight, we pulled it out and we know what we have to fix," said Augustin, whose previous career high was 31 points scored against Philadelphia in January 2011. "I really dont follow that. Some of my teammates told me. Its a great accomplishment, but Im glad we got the win." Joakim Noah finished with 13 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds for Chicago two nights after it was routed at home by Portland. "That is how we have to win. Our margin of error is not great," Chicago coach Tom Thibodeau said. "Weve got to play with great intensity each and every night." The Bulls, who avoided losing consecutive games for the first time in nearly two months, will go for a three-game season sweep against the Celtics on Monday night in Chicago. Carlos Boozer scored 14, Kirk Hinrich and Mike Dunleavy added 11 points apiece and all five Chicago starters scored in double figures. Chicago made up for its rebounding struggles by making 25 of 31 foul shots, including 11 of 14 in the fourth quarter. "They were big, especially at the end," Augustin said. "If we had missed a couple of those foul shots, we dont know what the outcome of the game would have been because they made some big 3s at the end," Augustin said. Rajon Rondo had 17 points and 11 assists for Boston, which has lost four straight and nine of 10. Jeff Green and Jared Sullinger scored 16 points each for Boston and Sullinger pulled down 10 rebounds. Kris Humphries added 14 points and eight rebounds as Boston outrebounded Chicago 39-31, but could not stop Augustin in the fourth. "You can look at it a couple of different ways, but we hate losing," Rondo said. "Weve got to find a way eventually to win some of these games. Theyre very winnable. Were just not closing the games the right way." The Celtics kept the Bulls from making a run early in the fourth quarter, matching nearly every basket and continuing to outrebound Chicago. Boston grabbed two offensive rebounds on one possession and Brandon Bass putback gave the Celtics an 87-86 lead. Noah drew a foul on the other end and hit both free throws, Hinrich added a 3-pointer and Augustin made a reverse layup to put the Bulls up 93-87 with 4:36 left. Rondo answered with a 3-pointer for Boston, then Sullinger blocked a layup attempt by Augustin to set up a fast-break 3-pointer by Green to pull Boston back within a basket. Green hit again from beyond-the-arc after a foul shot by Noah and the score was tied at 96 with 2:13 remaining. Augustin broke the tie with his third 3-pointer of the game, then made a steal on an inbounds play that all but ended Bostons chances. Augustin drew a foul and made both free throws, then added four more from the line as the Celtics were forced to foul. Augustins two free throws with 22 seconds left put Chicago up 105-99 and the margin was too much for Boston to overcome. Notes: Carlos Boozer received a technical and clear-path foul when he grabbed Humphries from behind on his way to an uncontested trip to the basket. ... Humphries tumbled to the court after Boozer let go and was quickly issued the technical. ... Humphries was called for a technical in the third period for a shove on Noah in the lane while both were setting up for a rebound. ... Chicago last lost consecutive games Feb. 1 and 3. William Moore Jersey .C. -- Gary Players upcoming ceremonial drive is the latest Masters honour in a career filled with them. Sean Weatherspoon Jersey . The game will be made up on Thursday as part of a day-night doubleheader. Tickets for the Wednesdays game will be honoured for the 1:05 p.CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Kicker Graham Gano believes hes found a home in Carolina. Gano became the first of Carolinas 20 soon-to-be unrestricted free agents to re-sign with the Panthers on Friday, signing a four-year contract. Financial terms were not released. "Im really excited to be back in Carolina," Gano said. "It is where my family and I wanted to be. I love the organization and feel this is the best place for me." The 26-year-old Gano is coming off a successful season, converting 24 of 27 field goal attempts while helping the team to a 12-4 record and the NFC South title. He set a franchise record and tied for the NFL lead with six made field goals from 50 yards or more. He was the only NFL kicker with three or more attempts from 50 yards or more without a miss from that distance. "The special teams unit was a large part of our success last year and we are excited to keep Graham as a part of our team," Panthers coach Ron Rivera said in a news release. "Graham has shown range and accuracy in his field goal kicking, and his strong leg has been a weapon for us on kickoffs." Of his 82 kickoffs, 76 reached the end zone, including 63 for touchbacks, the highest percentage in the NFL since 1994. A five-year NFL veteran, Gano spent his first thhree seasons with the Washington Redskins. Osi Umenyiora Jersey. He has converted 92 of 118 field goal attempts in his career. Gano tied the NFL record for most overtime field goals in a season with three in 2010, a mark previously accomplished by John Kasay for Carolina in 2003 and Jason Hanson for Detroit in 1994. Gano feels like he has some stability on the team, which has helped his game. "When I was in Washington I went through four holders and that took some getting used to," Gano said. "I finally got comfortable there and made my last 14 of 17 field goals. Ive carried over that consistency to Carolina." Gano said he was celebrating the new deal by taking his son to Chic-fil-A. Carolinas other unrestricted free agents include quarterbacks Derek Anderson and Jimmy Clausen, wide receivers Domenik Hixon, Brandon LaFell and Ted Ginn Jr., tight end Ben Hartsock, offensive linemen Geoff Hangartner, Travelle Wharton, Garry Williams and Bruce Campbell, defensive end Greg Hardy, defensive tackle Colin Cole, linebackers Jordan Senn, Jason Williams and Dan Connor, safeties Quintin Mikell and Mike Mitchell, and cornerbacks Captain Munnerlyn and Drayton Florence. Wholesale Jerseys ' ' ' |
