CHICAGO - A few days into the regular season, the short-handed Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls already are in grind mode. [url=

CHICAGO - A few days into the regular season, the short-handed Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls already are in grind mode. Mario Mandzukic Jersey .Emergency starter Evan Turner scored 19 points, one of seven Boston players in double figures, as the Celtics passed an early test with a 106-101 victory on Saturday night. The Celtics did it without Rajon Rondo, who missed his fourth game of the season.Listen, we had to play great tonight, and we did for the better part of the game, Celtics coach Brad Stevens said after his teams third game in four days. Then Aaron Brooks went nuts at the end. You knew they were going to make a run. Im just glad we didnt play a 49-minute game.Kelly Olynyk finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds for Boston, while Jeff Green contributed 14 points.Brooks led Chicago with 26 points — 19 in the fourth quarter. Pau Gasol added 19 points and nine rebounds.After Brooks hit a three-pointer and a pair of free throws to pull the Bulls within 99-96, Olynyk split a pair of free throws. Brooks connected on a two-pointer, but Turner, Olynyk and Green answered with two free throws apiece in the final 17 seconds to seal the outcome.We just kind of had to weather the storm, make some plays, Olynyk said. E.T. hit some big shots. We got some big rebounds and just found a way.The game was the fourth for the Bulls in five days and their second straight with injured guard Derrick Rose out of the lineup. As usual, Thibodeau wasnt in the mood for excuses after what he described as a low-energy first half.No, it was not (because of) four games in five nights, Brooks offered. We just played badly. I think they were on the same schedule we had.Specifically, Thibodeau was concerned about a 45-38 rebound disadvantage. We have to do something to change it, he said.Joakim Noah had a team-high 11 rebounds but sat out the final 2:03 because of what Thibodeau called restrictions. Neither would say whether they were related to a minutes limitation or complications from Noahs left knee surgery six months earlier.Im always concerned, Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said when asked about Noahs health.The Celtics seized control in the final 6 minutes of the second period, which they closed on a 27-8 run to take a 56-41 lead into the break. Avery Bradley scored nine and Turner added six more in the decisive stretch.Boston bolted to a 12-2 lead at the outset, as Chicago misfired on 10 of its first 11 field goal tries. After a time-out, Gasol sparked a comeback that saw his team connect on 10 of its final 13 shots in the period to take a 25-20 advantage.But the Bulls couldnt sustain the momentum, and when Tyler Zeller scored off Bradleys lob pass midway through the third quarter, the Celtics took a 36-35 lead that wasnt seriously threatened until the final minute.We have to get a lot better, Stevens said. Obviously, we have to get healthy. It was the second night of a back-to-back for both teams. I dont think they played as well as theyve played, and I thought we did some really good things, but we have to play more (complete) 48 minutes.TIP-INSCeltics: Turner filled in for Rondo, who remained in Boston to have screws removed from his surgically repaired left hand. Rondo could be available for the date with Oklahoma City on Wednesday night. Smart is expected to miss two-to-three weeks because of a sprained left ankle and bone bruise, which he suffered in a victory against Indiana on Friday night. (Smart) feels better, but its going to take a couple weeks to get back, Stevens said. And thats hopeful, because sometimes those high ankle sprains are much more difficult than that.Bulls: Rose sat out with sprains in both ankles. Veteran Kirk Hinrich started in his place but went scoreless in 13 minutes. Just out, Thibodeau said of Roses status. Hes not ready to go yet. Well see where he is tomorrow.UP NEXTCeltics: Wednesday night versus Oklahoma City.Bulls: Monday night versus Detroit.BETTER LATE THAN NEVER?Given the abundance of injuries around the league thus far, Thibodeau said it was a good question whether star players would sit out long stretches of the regular season with the playoffs in mind. Theres no way to tell until theres an extended study based on 20 years or so, he said. Theres a school of thought that you have to prepare for the grind of the long season. When you study championship teams, you see that commitment to it. Rodrigo Bentancur Jersey . The Yankees made the moves before Tuesdays game against Baltimore. Robertson was listed retroactive to Monday. Robertson posted two saves in three games as the replacement for retired Yankees closer Mariano Rivera before getting hurt. Carlo Pinsoglio Jersey . The Senators will put the busy off-season and training camp behind them when they open their regular season on the road. They kick things off Friday against the Buffalo Sabres and then head to Toronto to take on the Maple Leafs on Saturday. http://www.juventusfcpro.com/Kids-Blaise-Matuidi-Jersey/ . Osmond, of Marystown, N.L., fell in the middle of her routine and placed fifth in the ladies free skate at Iceberg Skating Palace (110.73 points), but that was all the Canadians needed after a strong performance by Kevin Reynolds in the mens free earlier Sunday.ARLINGTON, Texas -- Texas Rangers first baseman Prince Fielder is sitting out at least two days because of a stiff neck, ending his consecutive games streak at 547. Fielder received an injection on Saturday morning, and will be away from the team for that nights game and Sundays contest against the Toronto Blue Jays. Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said he hopes Fielder will be ready to play Tuesday night at home against Seattle. The 30-year-old Fielder, acquired by Texas in November from Detroit, has hit at least 25 home runs in each of his eight full major league seasons. He had a high of 50 in 2007, but has struggled this season with only three homers and 16 RBI and a .247 batting average. Daniels said the injury could be a reason for Fielders lack of power. "It stands to reason it has been affecting his swing," Daniels said. Joao Cancelo Jersey. "He described it as a lack of strength in his left arm." Daniels said Fielder first revealed the injury a few weeks ago, and that it bothered him last season while he was with the Tigers. Daniels said neither Fielder nor Ian Kinsler, who was dealt to Detroit in the trade, took physicals as part of the transaction. Daniels added that the type of problem Fielder is dealing with wouldnt have shown up in a typical physical done in connection with a trade or the standard exam given to all players during spring training. The Rangers, who already have a major league-leading 13 players on the disabled list, hope Fielder wont need to be added to it. Left-handed starters Martin Perez (elbow) and Matt Harrison (back) went on the DL this week and are likely lost for the season. ' ' '