The Celtics erupted for 44 in the first quarter and carry a 78-49 lead into the break.
Boston seized control with a 44-25 first quarter, then added 34 points in the second to take a 78-49 halftime lead. Payton Pritchard leads the barrage with 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting, while Jayson Tatum has 16 points and five rebounds. Chicago’s Norman Powell and Matas Buzelis have 11 points apiece, but the Bulls trail by 29 despite scoring 24 in the second quarter. Boston entered 3-1 and ninth in the power index, while 1-4 Chicago sat 28th; after the break, the Bulls must find a way to slow Boston’s scoring and start chipping away.
Key Performers
Payton Pritchard, BOS: 20 points, 7-of-10 FG, 3-of-6 3PT Jayson Tatum, BOS: 16 points, 5 rebounds Norman Powell, CHI: 11 points, 6-of-6 FT