Bulls run struggling Cavaliers ragged

MondayWashington 101-99 Oklahoma City New York 96-102 Boston     New Orleans 95-88 San Antonio

Wednesday, January 09, 2013
Carlos Boozer of the Chicago Bulls celebrates a three-point play against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Net photo.

MondayWashington 101-99 Oklahoma City New York 96-102 Boston     New Orleans 95-88 San Antonio Utah 100-94 Dallas     Portland 125-119 Orlando     Sacramento 81-113 MemphisCHICAGO – Carlos Boozer and the Chicago Bulls recovered from a slow start to pummel the struggling Cleveland Cavaliers 118-92 on Monday and take over top spot in the Eastern Conference’s Central division.In-form forward Boozer scored a game-high 24 points along with 11 rebounds, while Luol Deng added 19 points as the Bulls recorded their third straight win, and their 11th in a row over the Cavaliers.Chicago, who upset NBA champions Miami 96-89 on Friday, shrugged off a disappointing first quarter to improve their overall record to 19-13 and dislodge the Indiana Pacers (20-14) from top spot in the Central standings."I’m just playing off my team mates,” Boozer told reporters after recording his fifth consecutive double-double. "Games like this are fun because everybody played so great. We like moments like this.Guard Dion Waiters, off the bench, led the way with 18 points for the Cavaliers, who slipped to 8-28 following their eighth defeat in their last 11 games.