The Celtics built a 29-point halftime cushion and held on as Chicago surged in the fourth.
Boston seized control with 44 points in the first quarter and added 34 in the second, carrying a 78-49 lead into halftime. Payton Pritchard led the Celtics with 30 points on 9-of-17 shooting, including 3-of-9 from three and 9-of-9 at the line, plus 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, no blocks and 3 turnovers. Jayson Tatum scored 26 on 9-of-20 shooting, with 7 rebounds, 7 assists, no steals or blocks and 4 turnovers, while Paul George added 18 points on 7-of-15 shooting, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, no blocks and 2 turnovers. Chicago’s Caleb Wilson scored 23 on 7-of-16 shooting, including 6-of-11 from three, and contributed 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks and 1 turnover. Norman Powell chipped in 16 points on 4-of-11 shooting, with 2 rebounds, 3 assists, no steals or blocks and no turnovers. The Bulls outscored Boston 37-26 in the fourth, but the early deficit proved too large as the Celtics secured the 125-111 win.
Key Performers
Payton Pritchard, BOS: 30 PTS, 9-17 FG, 3 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL Jayson Tatum, BOS: 26 PTS, 9-20 FG, 7 REB, 7 AST, 4 TO Caleb Wilson, CHI: 23 PTS, 7-16 FG, 5 REB, 4 AST, 2 BLK
Standings Impact
Boston moved to 3-1, including a 3-0 home record; Chicago fell to 1-4. The Celtics are No. 9 in the power index, with the Bulls at No. 28.
DYMA Insight
Boston’s 78-49 first half created the difference: Chicago won the fourth quarter by 11, yet still finished 14 points short. Pritchard’s 30 points led a Celtics attack that put up 44 in the opening period.