Final: Bulls 126, Celtics 116 -- LaVine, Markkanen go for career nights in another ugly loss for C's

In a season full of ugly losses, the Celtics added another notable one to the list on Saturday night, allowing Zach LaVine (42 points) and Lauri Markkanen (35 points) go for career-high scoring nights in a dreadful defensive performance as the Bulls coasted to a 126-116 victory. Chicago led by as many as 25 points in the second half after they took control of the game with a 36-18 second quarter which was fueled by a dreadful performance by Boston's bench.

The Celtics trimmed the lead down to eight on a couple different occassions but did not have an answer for LaVine and Markkanen on the defensive end all night long. Kyrie Irving had a team-high 37 points for the C's in 40 minutes, while Al Horford added 19 points. Woeful efforts came from Terry Rozier (three points on 1-0f-9 shooting) and Gordon Hayward (five points) which help dig the C's into a first half hole they could not get out of.

Boston now has lost two straight games out of the All-Star Break and have fallen three games behind the Pacers for the three seed. They wrap up their three-game road trip with another tough matchup against the Raptors on Tuesday night.

First Half Notes

• Celtics offense had a very nice flow in the first quarter, thanks to the scoring of Kyrie, Horford and Tatum who created easy looks for each others and knocked down some shots themselves in all areas of the floor.


• However, once Brad Stevens turned to the bench in this one, it all went to hell. Jaylen Brown and Terry Rozier started taking some bad shots out of rhythm early in the shot clock and the entire unit was getting soundly outworked by a no-name Bulls bench unit.


• Gordon Hayward looked like his timid self as well, missing a couple shots from point blank range and not resembling the aggressive scoring weapon that was big in wins against the Pistons and Sixers last week.


• Brad Stevens turned back to the starters a bit earlier than usual, but they could not stop the bleeding, as the Bulls pushed the lead all the way up to 15 at points as Zach LaVine and Lauri Markkanen started to find their offensive flow while the Bulls supporting cast started to knock down 3s in transition.


• The bottom line? Chicago looked like the more spirited team in this one before the break, despite playing the second half of a back-to-back in Orlando on Friday night. Boston was getting soundly outworked and saw their defense dissipate after an encouraging effort in Milwaukee on Thursday night.

• Gordon Hayward is expected to be back active on Saturday after missing his first game after the All-Star break with a sprained ankle. Aron Baynes remains out for the remainder of the road trip at center.


• The Celtics have had two blowout wins against the Bulls this year, but they will be facing a far different looking team this time out with new addition Otto Porter Jr and a healthy Kris Dunn and Lauri Markannen. This group is coming off a tough road win against the Magic on Friday night, so the C's should have the rest edge for this one.


• Bulls have won three of their last seven games overall, but their bench depth is pretty weak now after the trade deadline and with Wendell Carter and Chandler Hutchinson out due to injury.


• Al Horford has been on a roll of late, averaging 20.3 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2.3 steals per game on 47.4 percent shooting from the field and 50 percent shooting from 3-point range over the past three games.