Like every year, the Bulls are stuck in the soft underbelly of the Eastern Conference, but like every year, they are capable of big shots. Like last night, winning 117-108 in Boston. This is their 3rd victory in a row, and it is definitely deserved.
Despite a lot of waste, no observation rounds. Both teams look to run and take quick shots. Or rather rushed… After several days of rest, this is perhaps not the best idea, and the Celtics start the meeting with a 2 out of 10 on shots. They had to wait until the 6th minute to score their first 3-point basket, thanks to Jayson Tatum. Coming off the bench, Payton Pritchard brings his usual spark, but after twelve minutes, Boston only leads 25-21 with 34% on shots.
Patrick Williams as X factor
Payton Pritchard continues his show by picking up balls that are lying around. At his side, Al Horford signs a nice chasedown block on Coby White, but the Bulls hang on. Notably thanks to Patrick Williams, very effective from afar, just like Nikola Vucevic. Lonzo Ball also gets involved, and Chicago signs an 8-0 to take control (44-41). Derrick White wakes up his teammates, and the public, and at the break, Boston remains in front (57-54).
Jrue Holiday scored Boston's first points in the second half with a nice fadeaway but the Celtics couldn't make the break. The fault is Zach LaVine who delivers a sumptuous duel to Derrick White. The two go blow for blow, and White even counters him at 3-points. There is intensity, still as much clumsiness, and two 3-pointers in a row from Pritchard and Tatum keep the Celtics in the lead (86-82) after three quarters.
Joe Mazzulla then blows Tatum, and the Bulls take advantage. Thanks to Talen Horton-Tucker and Ayo Donsunmu, they scored a 12-0 to lead by nine points (99-90)! Nervousness is gaining on the reigning champions. Technical fouls rain down on Joe Mazzulla and Jaylen Brown, and Zach LaVine takes advantage of them to maintain a gap of three possessions (104-96). Tatum also takes his technique and this time, it is Patrick Williams who punishes. After a final tap from Vucevic, the Bulls won 117-108. The revenge is for Saturday.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
Joe Mazzulla very angry. It's a bit of a symbol of this defeat for the Celtics with three technical fouls taken, in quick succession, by Joe Mazzulla, Jaylen Brown then Jayson Tatum. The most angry of all was the coach, whose assistants had to restrain him at the end of the match because they wanted to attack the referees…
No Giddey, no problem. Hit in the ankle, Josh Giddey missed his first match of the season. In his place, Ayo Dosunmu. Less creativity, but more defense and aggression. As a result, the Bulls ran from the first seconds. Their gaming identity is well established.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
