In Boston, Zach LaVine put on a show with a season-high 36 points, propelling the Chicago Bulls to a thrilling 117-108 victory over the Celtics on Thursday night as the teams kicked off a two-game series. The intense matchup saw Ayo Dosunmu contributing 17 points, while Nikola Vucevic added 16 points and an impressive 14 rebounds, guiding Chicago to their best winning streak of the season with three consecutive victories.
The Bulls dominated the fourth quarter, outscoring the Celtics 35-22 and showcasing their sharpshooting prowess with a total of 19 three-pointers made throughout the game. Jayson Tatum led Boston’s charge with 31 points, supported by Kristaps Porzingis who chipped in 20 points and eight rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Chicago’s late surge.
The pivotal moment came in the final period when Chicago embarked on a crucial 17-4 run to take a commanding 99-90 lead. Boston fought back with a six-point streak, only to be disrupted by technical fouls on coach Joe Mazzulla and player Jaylen Brown following a disputed call. LaVine capitalized on the ensuing free throws before sinking a remarkable 31-footer to extend Chicago’s lead to 104-96, leaving the Celtics struggling to mount a comeback.
The game took a heated turn with additional technical fouls on Mazzulla, Brown, and Tatum, leading to a tense atmosphere on the court. Mazzulla’s frustration spilled over after the final buzzer, requiring intervention from assistant coaches to prevent a confrontation with the officials, highlighting the intensity of the matchup.
Despite the absence of Josh Giddey due to a sprained ankle, the Bulls showcased resilience and depth in their roster to secure a statement victory on the road. In contrast, the Celtics faced a frustrating night as they were unable to contain Chicago’s offensive firepower, eventually succumbing to only their fourth home loss of the season.
The contest featured several key statistics, with the Celtics knocking down 14 three-pointers to break the Bulls’ streak of limiting opponents to under 10 threes in their previous three games. The back-and-forth nature of the game, coupled with the emotional outbursts and technical fouls, added an extra layer of drama to the matchup, setting the stage for a highly-anticipated rematch in Chicago on Saturday night.
As the Bulls celebrated a hard-fought victory, the Celtics were left to regroup and analyze their performance, aiming to bounce back in the upcoming clash. With tensions running high and both teams hungry for success, the stage is set for an exciting continuation of their rivalry as they prepare to face off once again in Chicago.
