BOSTON — Kyrie Irving had 17 points and seven assists as the Boston Celtics, back home from a dreadful road trip, routed the Chicago Bulls 111-82 on Wednesday night.
Jaylen Brown scored 18 points and Jayson Tatum added 14 for the Celtics, who lost the final two games on a 1-4 swing that ended out West. Gordon Hayward scored 11 and Al Horford had 10 points and eight rebounds as all five Boston starters reached double figures. The Celtics capitalized on 22 turnovers by the Bulls, who dropped their second straight and third in four games. Shaquille Harrison led Chicago with 16 points. Jabari Parker scored 14, all in the first quarter. Zach LaVine finished with 10 points and nine assists, and Wendell Carter Jr. had 11 points and seven rebounds. After a sluggish first period, the Celtics dominated the second quarter, holding Chicago to 11 points on five field goals. Boston continued to pull away in the second half. The Celtics held a 22-point lead entering the fourth quarter and emptied their bench. The reserves stretched the advantage to 33 before it was over. Terry Rozier had 12 points for Boston, and Aaron Baynes finished with nine points and 11 rebounds. After going 9 for 23 in the first quarter, the Celtics outscored Chicago 32-11 in the second and forced the Bulls into seven turnovers. Rozier’s free throw after a technical foul on LaVine broke a 28-all tie and started Boston on a 12-0 run. The Celtics shut out the Bulls for 5:14 while pulling ahead 42-30, then closed the period on a 9-2 spurt for a 51-35 halftime lead. Baynes opened the fourth quarter for Boston with a 3-pointer and added a three-point play with 9:46 remaining to extend the margin to 87-64. Hayward followed with a jumper, then converted another three-point play as the Celtics opened a 92-64 bulge with 9:32 left. TIP-INS Bulls: F Lauri Markkanen (right elbow sprain) is still a few weeks out from playing for the first time this season, coach Fred Hoiberg said. “Lauri was able to increase his activity today and did not have any pain after, which is a great sign. Still same timeline — a couple weeks away,” Hoiberg explained. Celtics: F Marcus Morris sat out with an illness, missing his first game of the season. Morris came off the bench in the first 13 games and is fourth on the team in scoring at 11.8 points per game. “We’re better with Marcus. There’s no question about that. We want him back ASAP,” coach Brad Stevens said. UP NEXT The Bulls visit Milwaukee on Friday night. The Celtics host Toronto on Friday night. |
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