Second quarter
One positive to note is how the Bulls continued to provide the pressure needed at the defensive end to keep the game close as the second quarter got underway.
Another thing to point out is the way the Bulls moved the ball appeared to lull the Celtics to sleep. It became apparent at times that the Celtics had played the night before. The Celtics didn’t play with the same level of energy the Bulls had.
The Bulls led by 3 points just north of the 9-minute mark. The cushion that separated the Bulls from the Celtics didn’t last forever. A pair of free-throws completed by Celtics guard Marcus Smart brought the team to within 1 point of the Bulls.
A short time later, LaVine missed a pair of free-throws at the other end.
It wouldn’t be long before it became a bit of a block party with big man Wendell Carter Jr. making sure that the Celtics did not get an easy bucket in the paint. It was a matter of pure hustle, and that energy appeared to be contagious among Bulls stars.
At one point, Thaddeus Young is seen playing small forward just north of the 7-minute mark, which was a first for the Bulls. Also in the lineup at the time were big men Lauri Markkanen and Carter. It remains unclear if that combination can be deemed successful for the team moving forward.
The Celtics still found themselves up 43-42 just north of the 5-minute mark.
A short time later, LaVine is sent to the free-throw line for two shots. He ultimately made the Celtics pay. Also during this stretch of time, the lead would change once again in favor of the Bulls.
It didn’t last long, however. The Celtics at the time claimed their largest lead of the night at the 4:38 mark. The Bulls found themselves down 49-44.
The next thing you know, Carter denies Celtics big man Daniel Theis from scoring by blocking what could’ve been an instant bucket. Moments like this could be used to turn the tide, but the Bulls weren’t able to make it happen in the end.
One problem is the Bulls had forced number of turnovers through the 3:18 mark. It appeared to benefit the Celtics. The team had 9 fast break points.
As time chipped away, a pair of three-point shots by Markkanen and point guard Tomas Satoransky brought the Bulls within 1 point of the Celtics. The Bulls were shooting 53% percent from the three-point line just south of the 2-minute mark.
Still, the Celtics led 55-52 by the end of the first half.
Among those standing out statistics-wise was LaVine. He made it a point to be aggressive setting the tone for the Bulls early on. LaVine had 17 points in the first half.