Rondo recorded a triple-double with 32 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds.
Boston Celtics' Kevin Garnett, left, creates a screen as Rajon Rondo (9) drives for the basket in front of Chicago Bulls' Carlos Boozer, right, in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Boston, Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012. The Celtics won 95-91.BOSTON – At this point in the season, every win is a marquee victory for the Boston Celtics.
For observers around the league, some of the luster of Sunday's 95-91 win over the Chicago Bulls (23-7) at TD Garden will be lost since reigning MVP Derrick Rose was sidelined with back spasms, but the Celtics (15-12) couldn't care less.
"In this season, every win is a marquee win," coach Doc Rivers said. "With the shortened season, you got bodies, guys out on both teams, every night. I can't remember the last time we played where we had all our team and the other team had all their team."
Even with Rose sidelined, the Celtics were forced to white knuckle their way to victory, and only managed to do so behind a triple-double from point guard Rajon Rondo (31 points, 15 assists, 10 rebounds).
Boston appeared to pull away when Rondo found JaJuan Johnson and Chris Wilcox for a pair of back-to-back alley-oops that put the Celtics ahead, 86-72, with a little more than five minutes remaining, but they took their foot off the gas and allowed Chicago to pull within 91-88 with 30 seconds remaining.
Coming out of a timeout, backup point guard C.J. Watson hurried up a two-point that rimmed out, allowing Rondo to seal the game at the other end on a pair of foul shots.
"We had to do that because that's who we are," Rivers said of giving up the lead. "We should have closed that game out."
Coming off of a performance against the Toronto Raptors Friday night where he was held to five points on 2 of 10 shooting, he was the only Boston starter to make an immediate impact.
Ray Allen and Paul Pierce combined for 20 points on 7 of 19 shooting, only showing up when Rondo dragged them into the game, and Kevin Garnett attempted only eight shots.
Rondo declined interview requests after the game, but his teammates had no problem offering praise.
"When he's assertive, aggressive, the way he plays, the way he played tonight, we're a tough team to stop," Pierce said. "He did it all tonight. He was great to watch."
The point guard was robbed of having a showdown with Rose, one of his greatest foils, but he had no problem taking full advantage of his absence.
Matched up against Watson, Rondo immediately went to work. Within four minutes he had six points and was at 11 by the time he went to the sidelines for his first break with 1:12 remaining.
He continued that outpour throughout the game, scoring 12 points in the third quarter – including seven straight – and found himself having to keep the Celtics afloat throughout the game.
With Rondo on the floor, Boston would build a decent lead, only to run it down to fumes before putting him back in the game.
He ended his scoring at 1:12 of the quarter on a 3-point play to make it 26-17, and Chicago managed to cut the lead to 33-31 by the time Rondo checked back into the game with 7:24 remaining in the second quarter.
After returning, he immediately setup Wilcox for a dunk on a bounce pass through the lane and then found Johnson for an 18-footer following a Loul Deng turnover to put Boston back in control, 37-31.
Rondo assisted on two more hoops and scored five points in the quarter to help the Celtics to a 48-43 halftime advantage.
Chicago cut the lead to 72-68 in the fourth quarter with Rondo on the bench. But after re-entering with 9:41 remaining, he appeared to put the game out of reach.
Rondo assisted on an Allen 3-pointer, a Johnson layup, a Pierce 3-pointer to spark a 10-3 run that put Boston ahead, 82-71, and forced the Bulls to use a timeout.
The Bulls, however, managed to pull back but were put to rest on four foul shots by Rondo to end the game.
"Rondo played great," Johnson said. "I don't think anyone expects anything less from him. Best point guard in the league."