Great offense.
Great defense.
Great win.
That was the story for the Celtics Friday night at TD Garden, as they downed the visiting Bulls 110-101.
Boston got it done at both ends throughout the night, but its second quarter was particularly impressive. A spurt midway through the quarter provided the team with a lead it never relinquished.
Avery Bradley, who was red-hot during the first half while scoring 14 points, canned a trey at the 5:11 mark of the second to double Boston’s lead from three to six. His teammates fell in line and followed suit, as they went on to drill all five of shots from the field over the next 130 seconds of the game.
How did the Celtics get six shots off in a span of 130 seconds, you might ask? Chalk it up to elite defense.
Boston’s defense was swarming, to say the least. It forced the Bulls to miss shots, but more importantly, it forced the Bulls to turn the ball over.
Chicago committed four turnovers in a span of just two minutes and 25 seconds, but one might argue that all of those turnovers were of Boston’s doing. The C’s swarming D got the Bulls’ offense out of rhythm, leading to two straight passes out of bounds. Then Isaiah Thomas snuck behind an unsuspecting Jimmy Butler for a steal-and-score, and Bradley followed up on the next Chicago possession with a steal from Pau Gasol in the post.
All told, from the 5:11 mark of the period to the 2:32 mark, Boston shot 5-of-5 from the field and added a free throw. Chicago, meanwhile, shot 0-for-1 from the field and committed four turnovers.
It’s no wonder why the Celtics turned a three-point lead into a 15-point lead in the blink of an eye. Yes, Chicago made its run during the fourth quarter, but it was never able to erase Boston’s substantial lead.
The Celtics oftentimes look toward Avery Bradley for their opening basket of the night. Friday night against Chicago, Bradley answered that call, and added so much more.
Bradley opened up Boston’s 110-point scoring effort with a smooth jumper from the left wing just 30 seconds into the game. That bucket was a sign of things to come.
The guard would go on to score 20 points on the night, his highest point total since Dec. 12, when he scored 23 in Charlotte. He trailed only Isaiah Thomas’ 22 points for the Celtics lead.
Jared Sullinger should get some pub for his 18-point, 12-rebound effort. So, too, should Thomas with his 22 points. But Bradley was the guy who did it from start to finish and led his C’s to a win.
Brad Stevens on Jae Crowder’s performance.
