The Chicago Bulls pulled off a stunning upset against the Boston Celtics, defeating them 117-108 on Thursday night at TD Garden. This victory marked the Bulls' third straight win and showcased their competitive spirit, particularly in the pivotal fourth quarter where they outscored the Celtics 35-22.
Leading the charge for Chicago was Zach LaVine, who scored a season-high 36 points. LaVine demonstrated his shooting prowess, going 11-of-19 from the field and sinking six 3-pointers. He also contributed six rebounds and four assists, proving instrumental in the Bulls’ offensive strategy. "We're a good team. We're competitive and we're a resilient group," LaVine said postgame, expressing confidence amid their shaky season record of 13-15.
The game turned particularly contentious during the fourth quarter, as tensions flared on the court. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla received a technical foul after vehemently protesting the officials’ call. Brown was similarly assessed after reacting to the situation. "I said to him, 'You called a tech for no reason.' He said, 'If you say it to me again, I'm gonna call another tech.' Then he called the tech. Like, man, get out of here. You can't threaten guys with a technical foul. That's not part of the game either," shared Jaylen Brown as he reflected on the heated moments.
Alongside LaVine’s standout performance, Ayo Dosunmu added 17 points, and Nikola Vucevic contributed 16 points and 14 rebounds. The Bulls' strong teamwork and strategic play allowed them to seize control when it counted most, capitalizing on the Celtics’ misplays and missed shots.
On the other side, Boston struggled with their shooting, particularly from beyond the arc, where they managed only 14-of-56 attempts, translating to just 25 percent. Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 31 points, but this wasn't enough to secure the win after being outpaced by the Bulls. Brown shot just 1-of-8 from three-point range, and the Celtics failed to find their defensive footing down the stretch of the game.
The frustrating loss was compounded by the official decisions, which seemed to heavily influence Boston's momentum. Mazzulla, visibly frustrated after the game, offered his thoughts sarcastically, saying, "I just hadn’t seen them in awhile, so just a Merry Christmas, happy holidays," touching on the officiated call without getting himself fined. While his quip provided the media with some laughs, it masked the real frustration felt by the team.
The Celtics held onto the lead for much of the game, entering the fourth quarter with four points up. But as the Bulls initiated their comeback, things unraveled for Boston. They had only three successful three-point shots in the final frame (3-of-17), showcasing their inability to execute late-game plays, which hurt their chances to regain control.
Despite their early advantages, Boston lost composure, leading to back-to-back technical fouls due to tensions on the court. The Bulls took full advantage, draining subsequent free throws and maintaining pressure as the clock dwindled. It was this sequence of events, fueled by sharp shooting from LaVine and resilient play by the Bulls' depth players, which swung the game decisively.
For the Celtics, this defeat marked only their sixth of the season, dropping their record to 21-6. Even with the loss, they remain second in the Eastern Conference, keeping their eyes finely tuned on positioning for the playoffs. The reality is clear; they need to regroup quickly.
Boston aims to bounce back swiftly, as the team prepares for the rematch against the Bulls on Saturday. The forthcoming game will be pivotal not only to restore confidence but to re-establish their dominance against the team they just let slip away. It remains to be seen how Mazzulla will respond to recent challenges as he continues to guide his squad through the season.
