PRO BASKETBALL

CHICAGO | Wal-Mart and Larry's Lube & Taco Supreme. Sometimes, comparisons aren't fair.

The Celtics and Bulls, each going in different directions this season, squared off Tuesday night at the United Center.

Boston had already won more games than it did in its last two seasons, combined, while Chicago was hardly within shouting distance of the eighth and final playoff spot.

The Celtics prevailed, 106-92, barely breaking a sweat.

To make matters worse, the Bulls were without 6-foot-10 Drew Gooden (12.0 ppg, 8.6 rpg), sidelined by an abdominal strain that could shelve him for the remainder of the season.

That left it up to foul-plagued Tyrus Thomas and 6-11 rookie Joakim Noah to battle Celtics' MVP candidate Kevin Garnett inside.

"When you're a starting power forward (Thomas) in the NBA, you get tested almost every night," Bulls coach Jim Boylan said before the game. "Going against Kevin Garnett, one of the premier players in the league, obviously adds a whole other dimension to it.

"Tyrus is going to have to play aggressive but play smart at the same time."

At halftime, Thomas and Garnett both had 12 points apiece. Noah led both sides with seven rebounds.

With three wins over Chicago (29-45) this season by an average of 20 points, Boston seemed to be in a "coast" mode most of Tuesday's game as the Bulls trailed by only five after the first quarter, seven at the half, and six entering the fourth.

But overall 14-for-25 shooting beyond the arc -- 56 percent -- was the difference for Boston, which led by as many as 14 points late in the game.

"I thought our guys really battled tonight; didn't give in," Boylan said. "(Boston) moved the ball so well on the perimeter and found the open man."

Ray Allen had 22 points, Garnett 20 and Paul Pierce 17 for the Celtics (59-15), now 32-1 against teams under .500. Thomas led Chicago with 24 and Andres Nocioni added 19 off the bench.

"I think we showed character tonight. Defensively, we played really hard. But it sucks to lose, even against the best team in the NBA," Noah said. "They share the ball and have threats everywhere. It's pick your poison."