Zach LaVine scores season-high 36 points to help the Bulls hold off the
Celtics 117-108
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[December 20, 2024]
By KYLE HIGHTOWER
BOSTON (AP) — Zach LaVine scored a season-high 36
points and the Chicago Bulls used a fourth-quarter flurry to hold off
the Boston Celtics 117-108 on Thursday night in the opener of a
home-and-home set. |
Chicago Bulls forward Talen Horton-Tucker (22) drives toward the basket
as Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) defends in the first half of an
NBA basketball game, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, in Boston. (AP
Photo/Steven Senne) |
|
The teams will meet again in Chicago on
Saturday night.
Ayo Dosunmu added 17 points and Nikola Vucevic had 16 points and
14 rebounds to help Chicago win its season-best third straight.
Chicago outscored Boston 35-22 in the fourth quarter and made 19
3-pointers for the game.
Jayson Tatum had 31 points to lead Boston, which lost for just
the fourth time at home this season. Kristaps Porzingis added 20
points and eight rebounds.
Chicago’s big fourth quarter included technical fouls on coach
Joe Mazzulla, Jaylen Brown and Tatum that left Boston scrambling
for the rest of the game.
Mazzulla’s frustrations continued after the game when he had to
be restrained by two assistant coaches from confronting the
officials.
Takeaways
Bulls: One of Chicago’s best efforts this season came without
Josh Giddey, who missed his first game this season because of a
sprained ankle.
Celtics: A frustrating night for Boston, which got rattled and
forced up some 3s late.
Key moment
Chicago opened the final period with a 17-4 run to take a 99-90
lead. Boston scored six straight before back-to-back technical
fouls were called on Mazzulla and Brown after both protested a
non-foul call on Brown. LaVine connected on both ensuing free
throws and then hit a 31-footer to put Chicago back in front
104-96. Later in the period, Tatum picked up a technical as
well, that helped extend the Bulls’ lead to 10.
Key stat
The Celtics made 14 3-pointers to end the Bulls’ three-game
streak of holding opponents under 10.
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