The Boston Celtics defeated the Chicago Bulls 111-104 at United Center behind a sizzling night for third-year swingman Jayson Tatum.
Boston came into the Windy City riding a two-game winning streak, but looking vulnerable after nearly losing to league-worst Atlanta Hawks the night prior.
The Celtics quickly handed a 10-point lead to the Bulls in the first quarter as Chicago hit their first five 3-pointers, momentum shifting the other direction off a missed Zach LaVine oop Gordon Hayward recovered for a slam at the other end.
Jaylen Brown catching fire at the end of the first quarter got Boston back in it, with the team carrying a 55-52 lead into the half, and looked like they were going to run away with the game in the third as Tatum started to warm up.
Chicago fought back, cutting the lead to three halfway through the final frame. Boston managed to hang on yet again though, Tatum nailing a trey as the shot clock expired with a minute left to seal the outcome for the Celtics.
The Duke product finished with 28 points on a hyper-efficient 12-of-15 shooting (including 2-of-4 from deep) along with 7 assists and 2 blocks.
All-Star hopeful Brown continued his own efficient scoring trend, logging 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting, outdoing Tatum from beyond the arc with 60 % accuracy to go with 7 boards.
Hayward was lights-out as well, logging 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting and 5 rebounds, matching Tatum’s production from three.
Center Enes Kanter had another monster night off the bench with 17 points, 12 rebounds and 2 blocks.
Zach LaVine had a huge night for Chicago in the loss, recording 35 points and four steals in the loss, while center Wendell Carter put up 11 points, 14 rebounds and 3 steals.
Forward Lauri Markkanen scored 15 for the Bulls.
The Boston Celtics next face the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on Monday, Jan. 6 at 7pm ET.
