Derrick Rose scored 30 points to lead the host Chicago Bulls to a 97-81 victory over the Boston Celtics in the NBA yesterday, helping the Bulls close in on the top playoff seed in the Eastern Conference.

The Bulls' 17th win in 19 games put them four games up on Boston and Miami with four to play and eliminated the Heat from getting the No. 1 seed and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.

Luol Deng scored 23 points and Carlos Boozer added 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Bulls.

Paul Pierce scored 15 points and Kevin Garnett and Jeff Green each had 10 for Boston, which still has a chance for the top seed, albeit a remote one.

Trail Blazers 98, Jazz 87

In Salt Lake City, Gerald Wallace scored 29 points and Nicolas Batum added 21 to lead Portland over sinking Utah.

Wallace scored 20 points in the second half as the Blazers wore down the injury-depleted Jazz, who had only nine healthy players. The loss assured Utah of its second losing season in 28 years.

Wesley Matthews scored 18 points and LaMarcus Aldridge had 12 for the Blazers, who moved into sole possession of the sixth playoff spot in the Western Conference, a half game ahead of New Orleans.

Devin Harris, who returned after missing five games with a strained hamstring, led the Jazz with 26 points.