The Celtics can enjoy Christmas with a win under the tree.
Kyrie Irving (25 points) and Jaylen Brown (20) led a balanced attack and the bench helped the Celtics pull away with a big third quarter as the Celtics avenged an upset loss to the Bulls with a 117-92 win on Saturday night at TD Garden. All five starters scored in double figures while Daniel Theis had a career-high 15 rebounds off the bench and posted a double-double with 10 points. For a full box score, click here.
Boston heads into their first-ever home game on Christmas with 27-9 mark while the Bulls, who beat the Celtics by 23, 108-85, on Dec. 11, fall to 10-22. After winning six straight, the Bulls lost their second in a row.
The Celtics came out red-hot in the opening 12 minutes, hitting 15 of their first 21 shots from the field. Still, the first quarter was back-and-forth as the Celtics claimed a 33-31 lead after one quarter. The Bulls held a 4-1 advantage in free throws made and a 3-2 lead in threes.
Bobby Portis, the Bulls stretch forward, continued his hot play of late when he took over in the second quarter. He had 15 points and seven rebounds in the first half and helped the Bulls take command in the early part of the second quarter.
Irving, who was held below 30 points for the first time in four games, again got his 3-point stroke going midway through the quarter to help the Celtics quickly erase a 49-42 hole. His back-to-back threes sparked a 14-2 run to put the Celtics up five, 56-51.
⛸⛸⛸ pic.twitter.com/xmKff7O1mX
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) December 24, 2017
The Bulls responded, thanks to a 10-0 edge on second-chance points, cutting the Boston lead back to two, 60-58, at the halftime break.
The Celtics picked up their defensive effort in the third quarter. They also continued converting from long range. Jaylen Brown’s uncontested three from the left wing capped a 13-2 run and put the Celtics ahead 73-60 with 7:53 left in the third. The Celtics didn’t stop there. They put up a season-best 38 points in the third quarter to take a 98-76 lead heading into the final quarter.
All the time in the world. pic.twitter.com/HjRUDN3ql0
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) December 24, 2017
Brown hit four of his first five attempts from beyond the arc.
Celtics rookie Semi Ojeleye survived a first-half scare when he went up for a dunk on the baseline. His right hand collided with the backboard when his shot when was blocked, sending the forward to the floor. He landed hard on his back but, after a trip to the locker room for treatment of the lower back contusion, was back on the Celtics bench later in the second quarter and available to return.
Too smooth by Tatum. pic.twitter.com/XnQZoAiais
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) December 24, 2017
The Celtics will be back in action on Christmas day with a 5:30 p.m. game against the Wizards at TD Garden. It will be the first time the Celtics have hosted a game on Christmas day.
