Boston's third-quarter surge: Payton Pritchard ignites Celtics offense against Bulls | Deadspin
Boston builds an early lead
The Celtics moved ahead 33-21 in the opening quarter and stretched their advantage to 44-28 early in the second. Chicago answered with a 12-0 run, capped by Leonard Miller’s layup, to close within four.
Boston responded with an 8-1 burst and went into halftime ahead 66-54. Tatum had 19 points, six rebounds and five assists by the break; the Bulls shot 18 of 46 from the field in the first half.
Pritchard takes over
Chicago got within seven early after halftime, but Boston seized control midway through the third quarter with an 11-1 run that made it 95-71. Pritchard then hit three consecutive 3-pointers, pushing the lead to 104-73 with 43.6 seconds left in the period.
Boston entered the fourth quarter up 105-75. Pritchard scored 19 points in the third, doing much of his work while Tatum sat with foul trouble.
Celtics finish comfortably
The Celtics held a 112-80 advantage after a Mike Conley 3-pointer with 8:36 remaining. Boston’s lead reached 40 in the final quarter before the game ended 134-99. Tatum finished with 23 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Norman Powell led Chicago with 20 points; Caleb Wilson had 17, while Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis scored 11 apiece. Miller recorded nine points and nine rebounds.
Key points
- Payton Pritchard came off the bench to lead all scorers with 28 points.
- Boston made 21 of 44 3-point attempts and outrebounded Chicago 54-40.
- Pritchard scored 19 points in the third quarter as Boston pulled away.
- Norman Powell led the Bulls with 20 points in the 134-99 loss.