The Boston Celtics delivered one of their most impressive performances of the young season Monday night, defeating the Chicago Bulls 134-99 at TD Garden. Behind a spectacular performance from Payton Pritchard and another strong showing from Jayson Tatum, Boston pulled away in the second half to secure a convincing 35 point victory.
The win improved Boston’s record to 2-1 on the season as the Celtics continued building momentum following their victory over the New York Knicks on Friday.
Pritchard Catches Fire
Pritchard led all scorers with 28 points off the bench, providing the offensive spark that helped Boston turn a competitive game into a blowout. He connected on seven three-pointers, including five during a dominant third quarter that completely changed the contest.
The Celtics entered halftime with a 66-54 advantage, but Chicago briefly threatened to make things interesting early in the third. Pritchard responded by taking over offensively, scoring 19 points in the period as Boston outscored the Bulls 39-21.
His shooting helped the Celtics build a commanding 105-75 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Boston’s ability to generate quality perimeter looks proved too much for Chicago to handle.
Tatum also played a major role in the victory, finishing with 23 points, seven rebounds and six assists. He scored 19 points in the first half, helping Boston establish control before Pritchard’s second-half explosion.
Paul George added 16 points, while Boston received valuable contributions from its bench throughout the night.
Celtics Dominate After Halftime
Boston established an early advantage, leading 33-21 after the opening quarter. Chicago responded with a stronger second period, matching the Celtics’ 33 points, but the Bulls still entered halftime trailing by 12.
The game changed dramatically after the break. Boston knocked down eight three-pointers in the third quarter and consistently found open looks against Chicago’s defense.
The Celtics finished with 21 three pointers on 44 attempts, shooting nearly 48 percent from beyond the arc. They also controlled the rebounding battle, finishing with 65 rebounds compared with Chicago’s 53.
Norman Powell led the Bulls with 20 points, while rookie Caleb Wilson added 17. However, Chicago struggled from three point range, making only 12 of 44 attempts.
Looking Ahead
The Celtics improved to 2-1 and will look to maintain their momentum when they host the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday.
Boston’s balanced scoring and perimeter shooting offer encouraging signs early in the season. If Pritchard continues providing instant offense and Tatum remains productive, the Celtics could become increasingly dangerous as the campaign progresses.