Celtics rein in raging Bulls

Amir Johnson of the Boston Celtics drives against Taj Gibson of the Chicago Bulls in Boston. (Photo: AFP)

The short-handed Boston Celtics avenged last week’s loss to the previously undefeated Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers spoiled the perfect record of the high-flying Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.

The Celtics blew a 16-point fourth quarter lead but managed to hold on for a 107-100 win in an early season rematch, while the Hawks suffered a shock loss to the lowly Lakers 123-116 after dominating in their first three contests of the season.

The Bulls slumped to their first loss of the season after knotting the score at 100-100 with a late 6-0 scoring surge. But they were shut out in the final two minutes.

Memorable homecoming for Lou In Atlanta, it was a memorable homecoming for veteran guard Lou Williams who scored 16 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter as the Lakers pinned the first loss on the Hawks.

Williams wasn’t a factor for the Lakers until the fourth quarter when he missed just one shot. He scored 16 of his 18 points in the final quarter and the Lakers handed the Hawks their first loss after three decisive wins.

D’Angelo Russell scored 23 points for the Lakers, and Nick Young had 17 points, including a clinching three-pointer with 17 seconds remaining.

Westbrook steals the Thunder In Los Angeles, Russell Westbrook scored 35 points, grabbed six rebounds and dished out five assists, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to an 85-83 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. Domantas Saboni’s three-pointer and a Westbrook layup with 2:15 remaining in the contest gave Oklahoma City an 81-78 lead it would never surrender.