After the road team won each of the first four games, the Boston Celtics and the Chicago Bulls met on Wednesday night again. It was Game 5 of their first-round playoff series and both teams wanted to come one step closer to advancing to the second round. Heading into Wednesday's matchup the series was tied at 2-2, with both teams losing two games on their home floor. It was a sellout crowd at TD Garden with 19,000 energized and hyped Boston fans. The Bulls were without their starting point-guard Rajon Rondo in this one. Rondo missed Games 3 and 4 due to injury, and it is unknown whether he will be back for the remainder of this postseason.
Boston holds Chicago under 100 points again
Chicago opened up the game with a 12-4 start and had an early lead. Boston made only one of its first eight field goal attempts but they would have the lead after the first 12 minutes of the game. It was 23-20 for the Celtics after the first quarter. The teams went back-and-forth in the second quarter as well but it was Boston that had the lead at halftime. The score was 52-50 for the home team after the first two quarters. isaiah thomas struggled to score for Boston in that first half and his first field goal came with 42.6 seconds remaining in the first half. He changed his headband and his shoes at halftime hoping it would help him overcome his shooting struggles.
Avery Bradley scored 17 points for the Celtics in the first half. Chicago outscored Boston 31-27 in the third period of the game and they held a 81-79 coming into the fourth quarter. The fourth quarter was all about Boston. With the score tied at 84-84 early in the fourth, Boston went on a 20-5 run and sealed the deal in this one.
They outscored the Bulls 29-16 in the fourth quarter and won the game 108-97. Brad Stevens' squad finished the game with 27 assists and only six turnovers. They were a perfect 23-23 from the free-throw line.
Bradley and Thomas combine for 48 points
Three players scored at least 20 points for the Celtics on Wednesday night. Avery Bradley scored his playoff career-high 24 points (11-19 from the field) and added six rebounds.
Isaiah Thomas also scored 24 points and dished out four assists, while Al Horford finished with 21 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists.
Dwyane Wade led all scorers in Game 5 with 26 points. Wade had a great all-around performance as he also added 11 rebounds and eight assists. Robin Lopez contributed with 14 points and six rebounds for Chicago.
Boston has a 3-2 series lead with Game 6 to be played on Friday night in Chicago.
