Final: Celtics 117, Bulls 92

GAME: No. 36 of 82
WHO: Celtics (26-9) vs. Bulls (10-21)
WHEN:  7:30 EST
WHERE:  TD Garden
RADIO: 98.5 The Sports Hub
TV: NBC Sports Boston
BOX SCORE: NBA.COM

Starting Lineups:

Celtics
PG: Kyrie Irving
SG: Jaylen Brown
SF: Jayson Tatum
PF: Al Horford
C: Aron Baynes

Bulls
PG: Kris Dunn
SG: Justin Holiday
SF: Denzel Valentine
PF: Lauri Markkanen
C: Robin Lopez

Third quarter Notes

• Celtics put their foot on the gas in this frame and didn't let up over the course of 12 minutes. They opened a lead up with a 13-2 run out of the gate, which forced Fred Hoiberg to burn a couple early timeouts.


• The pressure kept up though as everyone in the starting five got into the act offensively, with the entire unit scoring in double digits by the end of the frame.


• Jaylen Brown got plenty of looks from beyond the arc and his rested Achilles was happy to knock them down. He scored nine of his 20 points in the quarter, including a pair from beyond the arc.


• Defensively was where the Celtics needed to make inroads after the first half and they really locked down in that area throughout the third. They forced the Bulls into long jumpers, cut down on the transition buckets (0 fast break points) and only allowed two offensive rebounds (two second chance points) after running into trouble there early.


• With the offense rolling (38 third quarter points), the C's quickly turned the game into a laugher.

• Lots of nice offense early on for both sides.


• Markkanen is already a hell of a shooter from distance and started the game hot (3-of-3)


• For Celtics, plenty of early effective ball distribution. Starters began the game 12-of-16 from the field and everyone scored at least four points in that group.


• Semi Ojeleye got an early look off the bench and hit a corner 3.


• Brad Stevens seemed to abandon his big bench lineup (Theis/Horford/Tatum) and elected to have Horford play bigger minutes with the starters, while Tatum anchored the bench unit.


• Bobby Portis loves playing the Celtics. He continues to abuse the Celtics from midrange and on cuts to the rim 10 points in five minutes.


• Very clean basketball game for both sides, just three turnovers in the opening 15 minutes of the game.


• Bulls taking advantage of their offensive glass prowess early, scoring six early second chance points on putbacks and kickouts. C's continue to get nothing in this area after a strong start to the year.


• Kyrie Irving continues to put on a show with his efficiency, scoring 16 points in the first half on a variety of nice moves in just 16 minutes.


• Jaylen Brown has benefitted from a few days of rest on his Achilles injury has well, as he came out shooting smooth (11 points on 4-of-5 shooting)


• C's have shot ball well (53 percent) and not turned the ball over (two in first half), yet only lead by two at half. Why? Bulls have huge edge on offensive glass (10-0 second chance points) and are beating C's down the floor in transition (13-4 edge in fast break points). C's will need to slow down Bobby Portis and Laurri Markanen in second half if they want to put away this feisty team.

• Jaylen Brown will return to the lineup following a one-game absence with a sore Achilles. Shane Larkin (knee) will be a game-time decision after working out on the court. Marcus Morris (knee) will miss his 10th consecutive game. His status remains uncertain for the Christmas Day game.


• The Bulls won seven straight games before having their winning streak snapped in a tight battle against the Cavs at Quicken Loans Arena on Thursday night. "The last 10 games they’ve been unbelievable," Brad Stevens said before the game. "Like, they’ve been fun to watch and their halfcourt offense has been the best in the NBA. The way they move the ball and how connected they are is very evident on film."


• New England native and former Providence College standout Kris Dunn has been a big part of the Bulls' recent turnaround with his defense and playmaking, according to Fred Hoiberg: "I give Kris a lot of credit for understanding what we want to do as far as getting the ball up the court," Hoiberg said. "He’s made big strides in that area. What Kris Dunn has done down the stretch, it’s fun to watch him get his confidence and swagger back, which I think everyone knew he had."


• The Celtics have lost five out of nine games overall and are looking to avoid their first three-game losing streak of the season tonight.