The Boston Celtics were out for blood and revenge in a Saturday night amtchup against the Chicago Bulls, who they lost to in their last game. After being defeated in their last matchup on Thursday night, a game in which tempers flared and head coach Joe Mazzulla received two technical fouls and a $35,000 fine. With their 25-point victory over the Bulls on Saturday, the Celtics have still not lost back-to-back games this season.
Jayson Tatum led the way on the night, recording his first triple-double of the season, totaling 43 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists, with 9-made three-point field goals. That stat line for Tatum was the second time in NBA history in which a player had a 40-point triple-double with at least 9 made three-point attempts.
Here's a quick recap of the Celtics bounce back win over Chicago on Saturday night, their 22nd win on the season.
Jayson Tatum makes Celtics history: With his impressive performance on Saturday, Tatum became the first Celtics player with 40 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists in a game. The outing from Tatum is the type of performance you'd expect from a defending NBA Championship team, who lost to a Bulls team who defied the odds when they beat them in their previous matchup. Tatum and Boston took control in the second quarter and never looked back, never gave Chicago a chance to get back into the game, and made a statement with their 25-point victory. It was also Tatum's first triple-double of the season.
Controlled the paint: Beating Chicago in the rebounding department by 15 (58-43) also led to the Celtics outscoring the Bulls by 22 in points in the paint. With Tatum's 16 rebounds leading the team, Boston had a total of four players, Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet who had at least 7 or more rebounds in the game.
The Celtics will look to continue their success on the road (11-2) when they take on the Orlando Magic, who have been without their top two stars in Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. It's the first of four games in a busy week for the Celtics which will be headlined by a Christmas Day matchup in Boston against the 76ers. This will be the first matchup for the Celtics against the Magic this year, who are 18-12 on the season, and are 11-2 at home. Something will have to give between one of the best road teams in the NBA (Boston) and one of the best home teams in the NBA (Orlando) to start a fun week.