The Boston Celtics completed their first road trip to Chicago by winning both games, as they tied up the series against the Bulls. The Chicago Bulls played without a point guard Rajon Rondo for a second straight game, and they couldn't find a proper replacement.
Jerian Grant started the game, but played just four minutes, as he missed all of his three field goal attempts. Isaiah Canaan and Michael Carter-Williams also weren't able to play on a star level, while coming off the bench.
Isaiah Thomas is impossible to guard
Coach Fred Hoiberg had some words about Isaiah Thomas on Sunday night.
He said Thomas is impossible to guard because he carries the ball and the officials let him get away with it. Isaiah responded quickly and said: "That's not why I am impossible to guard.“ Obviously, Hoiberg is a little frustrated after a second straight loss at home, as he can't find real reasons why his team blew a 2-0 lead. Isaiah Thomas finished the game with 33 points, four rebounds, and seven assists, while shooting 10 of 21 from the field and only 1 of 9 from downtown.
Also, Thomas was very active drawing fouls, as he made 12 of his 13 free throw attempts. He said after the game that this Boston organization is the best in the world, as they helped him to recover after his sister's death.
Gerald Green played a very significant role in this victory, as he scored 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds in just 22 minutes on the floor.
Green shot 7 of 13 from the field and 4 of 9 from the outside. Al Horford added a double-double with 15 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists while shooting 6 of 11 from the field. Jae Crowder played a significant 40 minutes, as he added 11 points to his score sheet.
The Celtics bench didn't help a lot. Only Marcus Smart played some big minutes, as he had five points, eight rebounds, and six assists in 33 minutes on the floor.
Jimmy Butler led the Bulls
The Chicago Bulls struggled offensively at the beginning, as the Bulls outscored them 30-18 in the opening quarter. They shot only 20 percent from the three-point territory and 42 percent overall in the game.
Jimmy Butler had 33 points, five rebounds, and nine assists, while shooting 7 of 16 from the field and 19 of 23 from the free throw line in big 45 minutes of play. Dwyane Wade played 37 minutes and scored just 11 points on 5 of 12 shooting from the field. Nikola Mirotic added 13 points and seven rebounds, while shooting 4 of 11 from the field and 2 of 8 from the three-point line. Isaiah Canaan added 13 points off the bench.
The next game is on the schedule for Wednesday, as the series will move to Boston.
