While it might not have been a game filled with drama, the Boston Celtics moved to 10 – 6 and a tie with the Milwaukee Bucks for second in the Eastern Conference standing after beating the Chicago Bulls 119 – 103 on the road Monday night at United Center in Illinois.
It was All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum‘s first game back after an extended absence dating back to Jan. 8, and the Missouri native might have looked a little rusty, but still hung 24 points and 5 assists on the Bulls in his return. “It was tough, especially your initial reaction once you find out,” said Tatum postgame. “I don’t know if it’s panic, but you definitely worry because of everything you read about it and hear how many people it’s affected, and how many people didn’t make it.”
Kobe Bryant’s 10 biggest games vs. Celtics, in honor of his legacy (photos) https://t.co/RL4eYLdEkO
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) January 23, 2021
Teammate Jaylen Brown continued to sizzle, 26 points, both of the Celtics wings going exactly 10-of-21 from the floor.
Daniel Theis put up 19 points, Marcus Smart added 13 points, 5 boards and 11 (not a typo) assists, and rookie wing Aaron Nesmith led the bench in scoring with 9 points on 3-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc to help Boston secure the win.
