In a commanding display, the Boston Celtics (14-4) dominated the Chicago Bulls (5-14) with a resounding 124-97 victory, securing a spot in the quarterfinals of the NBA In-Season Tournament.
Led by Jaylen Brown’s impressive 30-point performance and Jayson Tatum’s 21 points, the Celtics showcased their prowess, making a season-high 21 three-pointers, including four each from Al Horford and Jrue Holiday.
The Celtics’ victory in the tiebreaker against Orlando and Brooklyn propelled them to the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, setting up a clash with the No. 2 Indiana Pacers in the upcoming quarterfinals.
DeMar DeRozan and Coby White led the Bulls with 19 points each, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Celtics’ offensive onslaught.
Patrick Williams contributed 14 points and seven rebounds, while Zach LaVine was limited to a mere two points in just under 25 minutes, exiting the game with a sore right foot.
Despite the decisive victory, Boston’s determination to maximize point differential drew criticism, particularly for repeated fouls on Andre Drummond in the fourth quarter, where he made just 1 of 6 free throws.
With the Bulls’ losing streak extended to five, the Celtics advance to the quarterfinals, eyeing further success in the NBA In-Season Tournament.
