Jayson Tatum delivered a commanding performance with 35 points and 14 rebounds to guide the Boston Celtics to a 138-129 victory over the Chicago Bulls in Friday night’s NBA Cup pool play.
While Tatum set the tone, it was Payton Pritchard’s electrifying fourth-quarter surge off the bench that ultimately sealed the deal for Boston.
Pritchard, who tallied a season-high 29 points, scored 11 consecutive points during a crucial fourth-quarter stretch that turned the tide in favor of the Celtics. His heroics helped Boston fend off a resilient Bulls squad, which saw Nikola Vucevic post a season-best 32 points and 11 rebounds in a losing effort.
Despite the loss, Chicago had its moments. Zach LaVine scored 29 points, including four three-pointers, to become the franchise’s all-time leader in made threes with 1,051, surpassing Kirk Hinrich. The milestone came late in the game as LaVine tried to spark a Bulls comeback.
For Boston, this win keeps their NBA Cup hopes alive. While Atlanta secured the Group C berth earlier in the day with a win over Cleveland, the Celtics remain in contention for a wild-card spot. Their fate, however, hinges on the outcomes of Tuesday’s games across the league.
The contest was tightly contested until the fourth quarter. Tied at 108, Pritchard’s back-to-back three-pointers ignited an 11-4 run, giving Boston a 119-112 lead. The sharpshooting guard was on fire, finishing 7-of-11 from beyond the arc and accounting for 29 of Boston’s 34 bench points.
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Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis also contributed significantly to the Celtics’ offensive arsenal, scoring 21 points each. With Boston’s full roster available for the first time this season, the team showcased its depth, though only three reserves saw meaningful minutes. Pritchard made the most of his 28 minutes, especially in crunch time.
For Chicago, Vucevic’s dominance in the paint and LaVine’s milestone weren’t enough to counter Boston’s offensive firepower. Vucevic was a consistent force all night, but the Bulls struggled to contain Tatum, who was lethal from midrange and beyond.
The key turning point came midway through the fourth quarter when Pritchard’s deep three-pointer capped his 11-point explosion and gave Boston breathing room. From there, the Celtics never relinquished control, showcasing their efficiency by shooting 15-of-23 from the field in the final period.
The Bulls’ fightback fell short despite LaVine’s late-game heroics. His third three-pointer, which cemented his spot atop Chicago’s franchise leaderboard, brought the Bulls within three points with just over three minutes to play. However, the Celtics responded with timely buckets and defensive stops to secure the win.
This game highlighted Boston’s ability to close out games with poise and precision, particularly in a competitive group-stage setting. Tatum’s leadership and Pritchard’s breakout performance underscored the team’s depth and versatility.
The Celtics now turn their focus to Cleveland for Sunday’s game, looking to keep their momentum alive. Meanwhile, Chicago will host Brooklyn on Monday as they attempt to bounce back from this tough loss.
With the NBA Cup pool play heating up, Boston’s resilience and balanced attack position them as a formidable contender, while Chicago’s flashes of brilliance indicate they’re still a team to watch despite falling short in this crucial matchup.
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