Chicago, April 7 (BUS): Jaylen Brown scored 25 points and Al Horford added 17 points in a 7-of-7 shooting, while the Boston Celtics beat the Chicago Bulls 117-94 on Wednesday night to achieve their 50th victory.
The Celtics have won three times in a row, 27-6 since January 22. They could finish second in the Eastern Conference playoffs Thursday night with a win over Milwaukee, the Associated Press reported.
“It’s a very simple formula,” Celtics coach Im Odoka said. “Play defense at an elite level. Get on the ball, be selfless in attack. And the results are there.”
Jason Tatum scored 16 points for Boston. He was 5 of 18 from the field, making him only one of eight out of a 3-point range.
Bulls lost two consecutive goals. They claimed berth annex Tuesday.
Demar DeRozan scored 16 points for Chicago and Nikola Vucevich added 13 points. Vucevic had four of 17 turns for the bull.
“I think what happens is when you win, you have a false sense of your reality,” Bulls coach Billy Donovan said. “And when you lose, you have a false sense of your reality.”
The Celtics had a 16-4 halfway through the first quarter to take the 31-14 lead. They shot 57.8% in the first half, going 9 of 18 from a 3-point range. Reserve guard Payton Pritchard was 3-for-3 from a long distance in the second quarter.
After losing at home to Milwaukee on Tuesday night, the Bulls made 10 turnovers in the first half. The depth of the front line weakened when striker Patrick Williams made his fourth foul with 4:31 remaining in the second quarter.
Bulls guard Zach Lavigne was 1 of 5 off the field in the first quarter, didn’t try to shoot in the second quarter and finished 2 of 9. He had seven points.
“It’s hard to play when we’re apart like that, and the results are showing,” Lavigne said. “Offensively and defensively, we are separated now. We have to find our rhythm in these next two matches.”
The match was attended by former President Barack Obama.
Hints
Celtics: Odoka said CF Robert Williams (knee) remained in Boston to help “accelerate the process” of his recovery. Williams has not played since March 27 and was expected to miss four to six weeks, which could rule him out in the first round of the playoffs.
Bulls: G Alex Caruso was disqualified due to back pain. “He’s not moving like he normally does,” Donovan said, adding that Caruso was coping with the lingering effects of an aching wrist he fractured on Jan. 21. J Matt Thomas (bruise to the right leg) was also disqualified.
next one
Celtics: In Milwaukee on Thursday night.
Bulls: vs. Charlotte on Friday night.