Jayson Tatum delivered a season-high 43 points, along with 16 rebounds and 10 assists, as the Boston Celtics secured a commanding 123-98 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night. Tatum’s performance marked his third career triple-double and helped the Celtics improve to 22-6 this season.
Kristaps Porzingis added 22 points, and Jaylen Brown chipped in 19 as Boston bounced back from a 117-108 loss to Chicago on Thursday. The Celtics outscored the Bulls 62-40 in the paint and dominated on the glass with 58 rebounds.
The five-time All-Star Tatum caught fire in the third quarter, pouring in 18 points as Boston surged with a 19-8 run to build a 93-77 lead heading into the final period. The Celtics never looked back, keeping the Bulls at bay with consistent defensive pressure and second-chance opportunities.
Nikola Vucevic led the Bulls with 19 points and 10 rebounds, but Chicago’s offense struggled throughout the night, shooting just 37.9% from the field. Zach LaVine, Coby White, and Patrick Williams each contributed 14 points, but it wasn’t enough to extend their season-high three-game winning streak.
In addition to their offensive execution, Boston’s defense suffocated Chicago, forcing missed shots and even botched dunks. Guard Josh Giddey missed his second straight game for the Bulls with an ankle injury, further hampering their rotation.
The Celtics also leaned on their depth, with Porzingis, Al Horford, and Payton Pritchard contributing key minutes. Boston’s bench accounted for 24 points, while their starters combined for 99.
Tatum’s efficient 16-for-24 shooting night included nine made three-pointers, and he finished with a +13 plus-minus rating. Porzingis provided interior scoring and rim protection, tallying two blocks, while Brown delivered early scoring to keep Boston competitive in the first half.
