Tatum Leads Celtics Victory
Jayson Tatum’s return with 26 points helped the Celtics secure a 124-113 victory over the Bulls, completing a season sweep in their third encounter and marking their 9th consecutive win, bringing them closer to clinching the top spot in the regular season.
Balanced Scoring for Celtics
Three Celtics players scored over 23 points each, with Tatum contributing 26 points and 6 assists, Hauser adding 23 points and 5 rebounds, and Horford tallying 23 points and 8 rebounds.
Intense Matchup
This game marked the Celtics’ second consecutive game in a back-to-back scenario, with Tatum returning but the other three main players absent. The game started with intense competitiveness, with a tied score of 31-31 in the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Celtics gradually took control and built an 11-point lead, leading by 6 points at halftime. The Bulls kept the game close in the second half, with the Celtics only holding a 2-point lead after three quarters. However, in the final quarter, the Celtics extended their lead to double digits with three-pointers, sealing the victory as the Bulls struggled to catch up.
DeRozan’s Performance
Seven Bulls players scored in double digits, with DeMar DeRozan playing 42 minutes and scoring 28 points, along with 6 rebounds, 9 assists, and 1 block. He was the only Bulls player to score over 20 points, with a +/- rating of -3.
Tatum’s Contributions
Tatum played for 37 minutes, scoring 26 points on 8-of-20 shooting, including 2-of-7 from three-point range. He also contributed 2 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block.
Hauser’s Impact
Celtics’ surprise performer Hauser started and played for 32 minutes, scoring 23 points on 8-of-9 shooting, including an impressive 7-of-8 from beyond the arc. He also contributed 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals. Hauser’s three-point shooting has been exceptional, with a near 65.6% success rate over the past three games, averaging 22.3 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1.3 steals per game.
Coach Mazzulla’s Remarks
Celtics’ head coach Joe Mazzulla commented on Hauser’s recent performance, particularly his 21 three-pointers in the last three games, stating, “It’s cool. I think his teammates are doing a great job of finding him, making him comfortable to shoot.”
Expert Analysis
Former Raptors and Timberwolves coach Sam Mitchell discussed the Celtics’ dominant form, suggesting that no team in the Eastern Conference poses a threat to them. He predicted that apart from the NBA Finals, the Celtics might only lose a maximum of two games throughout the playoffs. (Panalo999)