BSJ Game Report: Celtics 122, Bulls 100 - Hot-shooting Porzingis powers blowout win

Everything you need to know about the Celtics win over the Bulls, with BSJ insight and analysis.

IN A NUTSHELL

Kristaps Porzingis came out blistering hot, scoring 13 points in less than four minutes, but the Bulls fought back and trailed by only three after the first quarter. The Celtics mostly owned the second, with Jaylen Brown scoring 11 and Porzingis returning to add 11 more to make the lead 16 at halftime. The Celtics pushed it to 24 at one point but it settled at 20 after 3, and Brown made sure the C’s held onto the lead. 

Box Score

HEADLINES

- A nice, boring win: I know there might have been some complaints earlier in the season that the Celtics were a little too boring, but after the stretch, they’ve been through and all the weird ways they’ve found to lose, a boring win was very welcome. The Celtics broke it open in the second and were able to cruise without any drama. 

- Hot shooting Porzingis: He hit a career-high eight 3-pointers on his way to a 34-point night. That's one point off his best-scoring night as a Celtic. He was shooting in the low 30-percent range over his first dozen games, but he’s now at nearly 55% over his last five games. 

"I knew sooner or later I'll start hitting shots and I'll hit my stride and my rhythm,” he said after the game. “My routine stays consistent. It was just a matter of time, honesty."

- Derrick White’s roll continues: Okay, it’s just two games, but we’ll gladly call it a roll considering how much trouble he’s had. He’s eight for his last 20, a smooth 40%, which will raise his January shooting to 31.1% from 3. 

“Just trying to be consistent with my attitude and effort,” he said. “When I’ve got opportunities just shoot it with confidence and just try to stay in the shot. So just trying to take it one game at a time, and I think it’s all a part of the process.”

TURNING POINT 

The Celtics went on a 13-0 run in the middle of the second to open up a 19-point lead. The Bulls made a few small runs to technically stay within striking distance, but they could never string a big enough run together to truly threaten. 

THINGS I LIKED

- An easy win: I don’t want to belabor this point, but this was pretty much what was supposed to happen. The Bulls are an NBA team with pride, so they made runs and played hard, but Boston just imposed their will, built a big lead, and held it. 

- Kristaps Porzingis: He’s feeling good right now. He’s having fun and playing well. And as much as the story of his night will be the offense, I thought his defense was really good too. He didn’t have a block, but he protected the rim very well. He deterred or altered a lot of shots at the rim. 

- Jaylen Brown: He finished with 28 points on 10-18 shooting, six rebounds, and six assists. Joe Mazzulla sat him earlier in the first quarter, a break from the recent sub pattern, and Brown responded with 11 points in the second. Brown also was a big part of holding off a late Bulls charge. 

Here’s my favorite play of the night, which I think is one to go on Brown’s career highlight reel. 

First, he recognized the mismatch of Nikola Vucevic on Payton Pritchard. You can hear him yelling “Payton get out get out,” so there's also great communication. Then he gets the steal, tracks the ball down, keeps his dribble, and finishes strong on the other end. Absolutely perfect play from start to finish. That's elite stuff. 

- Derrick White: He shot 7-14 overall to score 22 points while dishing five assists. He was a +22 on the night, furthering my declaration that as White goes, so go the Celtics. They don’t lose when he’s playing like this. 

- Payton Pritchard: He led the Celtics with seven assists to go along with 10 points on 4-6 shooting. 

- Jaden Springer: More on him down below, but it’s nice to have a defensive sparkplug like him coming off the bench. And if he can keep hitting 3-pointers, then he can be a game-changer. 

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE

- Jayson Tatum’s shooting: He didn’t overdo it in this game. He was 5-15 overall, 2-6 from 3. I think Tatum needs the break as much as anyone. 

HIGHLIGHTS

TWO TAKES KARALIS WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER

- Keep Jaden Springer

Man, I bet Celtics ownership is miffed at Mazzulla’s decision to give Springer a chance against the Clippers. Since then, Springer has gotten some meaningful run and he’s made a positive impact. 

Considering the Celtics, ahem, lack of defensive intensity in many of these games, having a bulldog on the ball like Springer can actually be what the Celtics need to wake up during games. The Celtics have lacked that kind of wild card energy off the bench now that Pritchard is such a regular part of the rotation, so maybe keeping Springer around to be that guy is a good idea. 

“Certain guys bring certain things to the table,” Mazzulla said. “When he’s out there, he makes everyone better around him defensively just because of his physicality.” 

I think having Springer raise the defensive energy level when the Celtics are dragging on that end of the floor is important. He’s carved out a nice role for himself here. I think it’s an important element to have at the team’s disposal, so I’d hate to see him get moved just for financial reasons (though I understand the savings would be significant). 

- Jayson Tatum should come up with an injury to skip the All-Star game

He’ll never do this so I hesitate to bring this up, but man Tatum can benefit from a vacation instead of a weekend in San Francisco. I know it’s basically a glorified vacation anyway, but I really do think he needs a break. 

I know he doesn’t think this way because he was voted in as a starter and he wants to be there for the people who put him there. I would just like to see someone convince him that five days on a beach would be great rehab for a bothersome wrist or knee “problem.”

Next up: The Celtics go to New Orleans for a Friday night game.