Returning from a hip flexor injury

Still, there are moments in any season where statements must be made. And, having dropped five of their last six games to teams in playoff position, Thursday burberry watches 2012 night at United Center provided such a test.

The Bulls passed with more physical than flying colors, outlasting the Celtics 89-80 in a defensive struggle that looked more like a playoff game than regular-season affair. Both teams shot just below 40 percent.

Luol Deng finished with 23 points and 10 assists, including five points in a 12-0 run that snapped a 69-69, fourth-quarter tie. And coach Tom Thibodeau rode fourth-string point guard Mike James — of all people — down the stretch with James delivering two assists in the game-changing spurt.

James also threw a behind-the-back pass to Deng, who flipped it to Carlos Boozer to close the run. The Bulls improved to 7-2 without Derrick Rose, who sat for the fourth straight time with his sore lower back.

"We handled our business," Joakim Noah said.

Carlos Boozer added 23 points, 15 rebounds and five assists and Noah contributed 15 points and 16 rebounds as the Bulls enjoyed huge advantages on the boards and second-chance points. Boozer, in particular, kept finding Noah inside for scores.

The Celtics made one final push, pulling to within 84-78 on Paul Pierce's free throw with less than a minute remaining. But James, who played from the 9-minute 51-second mark of the fourth quarter until fouling out with 41.6 seconds left, powered into burberry sunglasses 2012 the lane and kicked a pass to the corner for Deng to bury his sixth 3-pointer of the night.

James finished with eight points and four assists in 17 minutes. Deng, who played the entire second half, had posted a career-high 11 assists in Tuesday's victory over the Kings as the Bulls look for offensive initiators during Rose's absence.

Returning from a hip flexor injury, Kevin Garnett posted a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Celtics.

In yet another example of the Bulls' ridiculous depth, James also helped shift momentum late in the first half. James, toiling in the Development League last week at age 36, entered with 6:20 remaining because Rose sat, C.J. Watson had three fouls and Rajon Rondo had been posting up John Lucas III.

With the Bulls down seven, James blocked Rondo's shot, scored on a drive and ran the offense smoothly. The Bulls closed the first half with a 22-5 run during which Noah scored eight points and Deng sank two 3-pointers.

When the Bulls opened the second half with a 7-0 run, their lead grew to 16. But Ray Allen sank three 3-pointers late in the third as part of an 18-6 run in which the new shirts for men 2012 Celtics pulled within 60-59 entering the fourth.