CHICAGO — Jayson Tatum delivered an impressive performance, scoring 35 points and grabbing 14 rebounds as the Boston Celtics triumphed over the Chicago Bulls with a score of 138-129 in an NBA Cup pool game on Saturday night.
Payton Pritchard, coming off the bench, contributed a season-high 29 points, with 11 of those points coming consecutively during a crucial fourth-quarter surge that allowed the Celtics to seize control of the game.
Nikola Vucevic led the Bulls with a standout 32 points and secured 11 rebounds, but Chicago needed a win to clinch a place in the Cup quarterfinals. Atlanta, which triumphed over Cleveland earlier that day, locked down the Group C slot, ensuring advancement to the knockout stages.
Zach LaVine also had a strong showing with 29 points, hitting four three-pointers that positioned him as the franchise’s all-time leader in made three-point shots.
After a 108 tie, Pritchard sank back-to-back three-pointers, initiating an 11-4 run, which provided Boston with a bit of breathing room as the game concluded. Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis also contributed significantly, each scoring 21 points.
The two teams exchanged noteworthy scoring runs late in the second quarter, ultimately heading into halftime with a tie at 67.
In terms of takeaways, it was the first game this season for Boston with its complete roster. However, only three reserves took on substantial roles. Pritchard’s contribution was especially crucial, as he played 28 minutes and took charge in the fourth quarter.
For the Bulls, LaVine’s third three-pointer with just over three minutes left cut the deficit to 125-122. This shot allowed him to surpass Kirk Hinrich, becoming the all-time three-point leader for the franchise with a total of 1,051 three-pointers.
A key moment of the game occurred when Pritchard connected on a long three-pointer with 5:25 remaining, finishing off his impressive 11-point run and giving Boston a 119-112 lead. He concluded the night shooting 7 for 11 from three-point territory, contributing to nearly all of the Celtics’ 34 bench points.
A notable stat highlighted that the Celtics shot an impressive 15 for 23 from the field in the fourth quarter, which was pivotal for their victory.
Looking ahead, the Celtics are set to face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday, while the Bulls will host the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night.