Daily Bulls

The Boston Celtics even up the season series at 1-1 with a 123-119 win over the Chicago Bulls. DeMar DeRozan kept the Bulls in the game with 46 points and got his teammates at times with five assists. But Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 39 points and 12 rebounds. Tatum and DeRozan combined to go 37-for-42 from the throw line. Refs made questionable calls throughout the game.

Besides DeMar DeRozan, the scoring production came mainly from Nikola Vucevic, Zach Lavine, and Ayo Dosunmu. Vucevic hit a couple of threes late to keep Chicago in the game. He finished the game with 24 points and 12 rebounds. Ayo Dosunmu continues to play well against the Celtics, scoring 11 points on 5-for-8 shooting. Zach Lavine had another off night but got 16 points on 6-for-13 shooting. Lavine went 2-for-6 from deep.

On the other side, off the bench, new Celtics addition Malcolm Brogdon scored 25 points and missed one out of ten shots. Brogdon has now scored at least 20+ points in the last two games. Jaylen Brown added 16 points and five rebounds. Marcus Smart, who injured his shoulder late in the game, scored 12 points in 24 minutes.

Bulls come back from 14-point deficit in fourth quarter

Entering the third quarter, the Celtics held a 93-87 lead over the Bulls. Boston began the fourth quarter with a 12-4 run to get their biggest lead of the night at 14 points, 105-91. Turnovers and Lavine not being unable to score allowed Boston to take their 14-point lead. But slowly, Chicago climbed back into the game because of star DeMar DeRozan and former All-Star Nikola Vucevic. DeRozan and Vucevic combined for 22 fourth-quarter points.

Chicago went on a 12-4 run to cut down the 14-point deficit. With 1:55 left in the game, Vucevic hit a three to get the lead down to four, 114-110. After a missed three-pointer by Al Horford, DeMar DeRozan made two free throws, 114-112. During the next possession, Derrick White hit his only three-pointer of the game to make the game a two-possession game, 117-112. White finished the game with five points. Vucevic responded with another clutch three.

After Tatum made one out of two free throws, Chicago got a shot to tie the game, but Patrick Williams missed a game-tying three. Williams finished the game scoring seven points on 3-for-9 shooting. Many would question who shot the ball in that situation, but it may have been the best shot available. “Celtics defense is so elite; it may have been the best shot they got,” said by Bill Donavon, postgame. Chicago did not hold a lead during the second half.

Final Thoughts

Tough Loss for Chicago

The Bulls were once again playing from behind against a contender. Chicago missed their big man Andre Drummond against Boston because they got outscored 52-34 in the paint. Key rebounds needed to be grabbed late in the game, but that didn’t happen. Chicago will start another set of back-to-back games on Sunday against the Raptors.

Boston on the right side of a close game

On Wednesday, the Celtics lost a close OT game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Boston knew how to respond after a loss, especially with playing in their home area. Once the Bulls got back in the game against the Celtics, Jayson Tatum knew his assignment and was aggressive. Tatum’s aggressiveness helped him get to the free throw line 20 times in their 123-119 win over the Bulls.

Up Next

Chicago will travel to face Toronto on Sunday.

Boston will travel to face New York later today, Saturday.

Teams will meet again on November 21st.

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