With a sparkling Jayson Tatum, the Celtics held off the Bulls

Boston takes the game from the right end by starting a 14-7, with 8 points from Jayson Tatum. On the opposite side, Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan were there, and the duo combined for 15 points in the first quarter to keep the Bulls in touch. Boston completed this first act with a three point lead (28-25).

With a very solid collective game, Chicago gradually returned to their fight before taking the lead with a 3-point shot from Patrick Williams (43-42). But today, as always, Boston will rely on its All-Star duo: Jaylen Brown (15 points) and Jayson Tatum (16 points) who will combine for 31 points at halftime. The Celtics returned to the locker room with a 9-point lead (59-50).

Chicago starts the 3rd quarter in the best possible way by getting back to within 2 points of Boston. But the latter will respond to a 13-2 run with 9 points from Jayson Tatum in this sequence, to increase the gap to 13 points (74-61). The Bulls are overwhelmed and the tile is coming…

With bad support, DeMar DeRozan injured his thigh. Heavy blow for Chicago who lost the lead for the rest of the match. The Celtics lead 84-73 at the end of the third quarter.

Zach LaVine woke up after a bad 3rd quarter. Under his leadership, Chicago returned to 5 points (89-84). But behind, and this is the story of this match, the Celtics will respond to a new “run” (7-0) with a Grant Williams of big nights. Zach LaVine didn’t hear it and again allowed the Bulls to get back to within 5 points of the Celtics with a wonderful 3-point basket with less than 4 minutes left on the clock (96-91).

LaVine was absolutely on fire making another 3-point clutch basket to bring the Bulls within 2 points. In the last minute, he had an equalizer shot but missed it. After that, Al Horford, well served by Tatum, hit a 3-pointer to give the Celtics a 5-point lead with 24 seconds left at the final buzzer. It is the “pale”! Tatum ended the night with an “and-one” on the move to Alex Caruso. Boston won 107-99 against Chicago!

WHAT YOU SHOULD REMEMBER

– Jayson Tatum in boss mode. The Celtics winger loves big bills, he proved it again tonight. MVP-level performance from start to finish. Every time the Celtics fell, he started the rebellion.

– Robert Williams holder. Marcus Smart package, Joe Mazzulla decided to grow his five with Robert Williams. It was his first start of the season.

– DeMar DeRozan’s injury. This is the big downside of the night. In a relatively innocuous act in the 3rd quarter, he stayed on the ground. After a brief stint on the bench, he returned to the locker room with a thigh injury and did not return from the game. He may miss the NBA Paris Game against the Pistons on January 19.

TOPS/FLOPS

✅ Jayson Tatum. Among the favorites for the MVP title, he once again confirmed his status: 32 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists.

✅ Give Williams. A big game from him off the bench. Always in the fight, always where needed: 20 points on 8/15 shooting as well as 8 rebounds.

✅ Nikola Vucevic. Match more than solid in his part with a big double-double: 21 points on 9/15 shooting including 3/6 from 3-pointers as well as 13 rebounds!

⛔️ ✅ Zach LaVine. He made a great start to the match and a great finish to the match. But he absolutely went through the middle with questionable marksmanship: 42% including 31% on 3-pointers.

⛔️ Coby White. A game to forget with just 1/7 shooting including 0/5 from 3-pointers.

THE FOLLOWING

Boston (29-12) : reception of the Pelicans in the evening of Wednesday to Thursday (01:30).

Chicago (19-22): Travel to Wizards overnight from Wednesday to Thursday (01:00).