Everything you need to know about the Celtics’ 117-92 win over the Bulls in quickie form.
HEADLINES
The Celtics look like a different team in the second half: After a shootout over the first 24 minutes (60-58 halftime score), the Celtics played some of their best basketball of the season on both ends in the second half, outscoring the Bulls 57-34 after the break to turn the tight affair into a laugher for the final 24 minutes.
The backcourt leads a stellar offensive performance: Jaylen Brown (20 points) and Kyrie Irving (25 points) shot a collective 16-of-25 from the field, setting the tone for a superb offensive effort from the starting five (all five players in double figures).
TURNING POINT
After playing a seesaw first half with the new and improved Bulls, the Celtics put their foot on the gas immediately after halftime. The hosts took command with a 13-2 run to start the frame over the first four minutes of the quarter, setting the stage for a full period of domination (38-18) against an overmatched Bulls starting five.
TWO UP
Jaylen Brown: The shooting guard was fresh after taking a night off Thursday against New York to rest his sore Achilles and it showed against Chicago. The 21-year-old was left wide open on the perimeter on countless occasions and he made the defense pay (7-of-10 FG, 4-of-6 3pt) for 20 points. He’s now made two or more 3-point field goals in six of his last seven games.
Aron Baynes: The center didn’t get much playing time, but he provided some potent offense around the basket in his limited stint, scoring 10 points in just 14 minutes on 5-of-7 shooting. The 6-foot-10 center had struggled around the rim lately so it was encouraging to see his touch return against a strong defensive center in Robin Lopez.
TWO DOWN
Terry Rozier: The shooting slump dragged into the third straight game for the reserve guard. He was just 4-of-10 from the field in 27 minutes (including three straight makes in garbage time) and has missed 17 of his last 23 shots overall during the last three games. The struggles didn’t impact the offense much (since his teammates were knocking down buckets around him with ease), but he’s going to have to break out of this funk for the bench unit to find some offensive rhythm.
First half transition defense: The Bulls aren’t known as a speedy team (based on personnel) but they outhustled the Celtics down the floor through the first half. They posted 13 fast break points over the first 24 minutes, which was four points above their season average in that category. The C’s really cleaned up this area in the second half (0), which was a key element of this contest turning into a blowout.
INJURY REPORT
Semi Ojeleye took a hard fall on his back on his this failed dunk attempt in the first half. He went briefly to the locker room with the Celtics training staff but didn’t return to the game in the second half.
Ouch. Semi is gonna be feeling this for a few days... pic.twitter.com/T9K7J1yOux
— Marc D'Amico (@Marc_DAmico) December 24, 2017
THE FUTURE?? NOPE, THIS IS THE PRESENT, FOLKS!!!!! pic.twitter.com/a811nR4o8f
— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) December 24, 2017