Celtics 125, Bulls 111

 

For the second time this week, the Boston Celtics trounced the Chicago Bulls, beating them last night by the score of 125-111. What's more, it was apparently an NBA Cup game, a tournament about which I have ZERO enthusiasm, and the Celtics are now 1-0 in the East Group C standings, or something. 

But anyway, in the real world, Payton Pritchard, although only a mere 3-9 on threes, led the Celtics with 30 points and 34:45 minutes, even beating out Jayson Tatum (26 points and 34:38). Not bad considering Pritchard wasn't even a starter. Payton was also 9-9 on free throws.

For his part, Tatum is now averaging 27.6 points per game, fifth best in the NBA. Overall, the Celtics lead the league with 123.4 ppg. They're also tied with the Atlanta Hawks  for most three-pointers made (15.7). Defensively, the Celtics are second in rebounding, with 28.9 per game.  

The Celtics led by 19 points after the first quarter and by 29 at the half. They eased up a little in the second held to rest the starters and minimize potential injuries, and the Bulls chipped away ever so slightly at the lead, but still finished the game down by 14 points. Five non-starting players saw double-digit playtime minutes.      

The Celtics are now 4-1, a half game behind the 76ers in the Atlantic Division and a half game back from Philly and Detroit in the Eastern Conference. 

Tomorrow, the Celtics fly down to sunny Florida to play the Orlando Magic (2-3). The Magic have had a rough couple weeks, going 3 for 5, but one of their two wins was over the NBA champions Knicks, but at 2-4, lots of teams have been beating the Knicks so far this season.

Game time is 3:30 pm.