The Celtics didn’t miss a beat after a week-long All Star trip, overpowering the Bulls 119-112 in a well-rounded effort. Eight gamers scored no less than 8 factors, seven gamers hit no less than two threes, and the Celtics dynamic offense was on full show from begin to end, with a distinct star carrying the load every quarter.
Derrick White, who completed the night time with 28 factors on 9-of-14 capturing, got here out sizzling within the opening interval. He put up a fast 12 factors, in addition to three wild blocks. The Celtics led by as many as 16 at one level within the first quarter, however gave up an 8-0 run to shut the interval.
Within the second quarter, the Celtics protection — which was fairly related for a lot of the night time — let up, and Bulls exploded for 39 factors. Nicola Vucevic led the cost for Chicago; he had 20 on the half, however scored simply two factors the remainder of the way in which. On the Celtic aspect, Quarter #2 was all Jaylen Brown. He scored 14 within the interval, and completed the night time with 21 factors (7-12 FG), 5 assists, and 5 rebounds. Brown carried over his sizzling play from the All Star recreation — he had 36 factors in Indianapolis on Saturday night time.
Within the third quarter, Brown handed the mantle to his co-star, and The Jayson Tatum Present started. The Celtics got here out of halftime with a 10-0 explosion, and Tatum led the cost with 15 factors within the interval. He completed the night time with 25 factors, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and three steals, regardless of a gradual begin. Behind Tatum’s sturdy play and a few stifling protection, the Cs traded in a 3-point halftime deficit for a 13-point lead heading into the ultimate interval.
Then, the Celtics bench unit put it away within the early minutes. The fourth quarter started with consecutive Payton Pritchard triples, shortly adopted by back-to-back Luke Kornet put-back dunks. From there, the Celtics held a large lead from the rest of the night time.
The most recent Celtics — Xavier Tillman and Jaden Springer — each made their debuts within the closing minutes. Tillman scored his first factors as Boston Celtic, and in addition tallied his first block in inexperienced — Boston’s eleventh of the night time.
The trio of Sam Hauser (8 factors, 3-3 from three), Pritchard (9 factors, 3-6 FG), and Kornet (10 factors, 5-6 FG) all got here to play, offering well timed performs all through the sport, significantly within the early fourth. Three-point capturing was big for Boston all night time lengthy — the Celtics completed with 23 made threes on 48.9% capturing. The Bulls, however, shot simply 10-28 from downtown.
Protection to offense and the Celtics lead is again to 14.
Sam Hauser has hit some well timed ones tonight – he’s as much as 8 factors, and Jrue Vacation has 6 assists. pic.twitter.com/TWD55oz7lq
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzellNBA) February 23, 2024
The lone Celtic to wrestle was Kristaps Porzingis, who completed with 14 factors on 5-16 FG. Jrue Vacation, now essentially the most environment friendly nook three-point shooter within the NBA, added 9 factors and 6 assists on 3-5 capturing.
With the win, the Celtics enhance to a league-best 44-12 document, in addition to a league-best 18-9 street document. Their win streak will increase to 7 video games, a league-best and their longest of the season. Boston hasn’t misplaced a street recreation since January eleventh, once they bought blown out by the Bucks on the second night time of a back-to-back in Milwaukee.
Subsequent up, the Celtics face the Knicks at Madison Sq. Backyard on Saturday night time at 8:30. New York is at present 34-22 and the fourth seed within the Jap Convention.
