The Boston Celtics’ offense has been firing on all cylinders over their five-game win streak.
The Celtics entered Saturday night’s contest against the Chicago Bulls extremely thin in the big man department without the services of Al Horford (knee), Aron Baynes (ankle) and Robert Williams III (personal reasons). Still, they responded with their best overall performance of the season, never allowing Chicago to take the lead throughout their 133-177 victory.
Boston jumped on top of Chicago early and never let up. After opening up the game on a 17-0 run, the C’s closed out the first quarter with a 35-17 lead. Boston’s first quarter offense has been essential throughout this five-game winning streak as it is +48 scoring.
Terry Rozier came out of the gate on fire scoring 10 points in the second quarter and helping the Celtics extend their advantage. The Bulls made a few runs in the second quarter, but Boston matched every punch and entered the locker room with a 64-43 lead at the half.
Boston’s offense didn’t cool down and continued the onslaught in the second half. This is the fifth game in a row the offense has been able to record 118 points or more.
The Celtics were hot from distance Saturday hitting 22 of 43 attempts from beyond the arc. Boston set a team record with its fifth straight game with 13 or more made three-point field goals.
The red-hot Boston offense didn’t have just one offensive star against Chicago as it had seven different players score in double figures. Jaylen Brown (23) led the way for the Celtics off the bench followed by Daniel Theis (22), Jayson Tatum (18), Terry Rozier (15), Semi Ojeleye (13), Kyrie Irving (13) and Marcus Morris (12).
Theis stole the show Saturday as he made his first start of the season due to the depleted frontcourt. He was given a chance and made the most of his opportunity recording career-highs in points (22), assists (5) and blocks (4), while also hauling in 10 rebounds.
Brad Stevens had high praise for the Celtics following the win.
“I thought our guys were really locked in,” he said as seen on NBC Sports Boston’s Celtics postgame coverage. “They played hard all the way through … stayed consistent the whole 48.”
This very well could have been Boston’s most complete performance of the season so far. It jumped out early, but never got complacent and played hard until the very end. Even when the reserves came in, they contributed to the victory.
Here are some other notes from Saturday’s Celtics-Bulls game:
— Boston’s 56-point victory marks the largest victory in the Brad Stevens-era and ties the Seattle Supersonics for the largest margin of victory in a road game in NBA history.
— Brown was a force off the bench once again.
In his two games back from a lower-back injury, Brown has shined in his new role, scoring a combined 44 points in the pair off games he’s come off the bench.
— Marcus Smart tied Danny Ainge for ninth on the Celtics’ all-time 3-pointers list.
Smart’s hot streak from beyond the arc continued Saturday when he shot 2-for-4 from deep.
— It wasn’t all sunshine and roses on Saturday as the C’s lost Guerschon Yabusele late in the fourth quarter to an ankle injury. After the game, Stevens said he would “probably be out a while.”
