| |
|
NBA PLAYOFFS -- Bulls stun No.1 Celtics, steal Game 1
By Homer D. Sayson PhilBoxing.com Tue, 18 Apr 2017

CHICAGO -- Jimmy Butler had always been a workhorse, so it was no surprise that he carried the Chicago Bulls on his back on Sunday afternoon and led a gutsy 106-102 win over the Celtics in Game 1 of their series opener at the TD Garden in Boston.
Though barely making the playoffs as the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, the Bulls looked like legitimate title contenders, playing with poise and experience that matters heavily in the postseason.
The Bulls didn't shoot well from the field 39-of-91 for 42.9 percent, but their defense was superb and held Boston to 37-of-85 for a mere 43 percent. Chicago was also a beast off the boards, out-rebounding the Celtics, 53-36.
"We were so locked in all week. We knew their stuff, jut like they knew ours. But we executed extremely well. We haven't done that all season, but this is the right time to do it," Butler told the Associated Press.
Butler finished with 30 points and 9 boards while Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo combined for 23 points and 12 assists. Bobby Portis was huge off the bench, contributing 19 including two clutch 3s late in the fourth quarter.
Isaiah Thomas, who lost his 22-year old sister to a car accident a day before Game 1, put up a gallant performance with 33 points. But he got little help as only Al Horforf (19) and Avery Bradley (14) scored in double-figures for the Celtics.
The Bulls try to take a stranglehold of this best-of-7 first-round series when Game 2 resumes Tuesday night (Wednesday AM in Manila) at the TD Garden. (HDS)
Photo: Jimmy Butler ran amok in the fourth quarter where he scored 15 points to the lead the Bulls 106-102 charge over the Celtics in Game 1 of their playoffs showdown.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Who was Clever Sison? By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 03 Dec 2025MATCHROOM BOXING RETURNS TO FONTAINEBLEAU LAS VEGAS WITH MURATALLA-CRUZ FIGHT, JAN. 24, 2026 , Wed, 03 Dec 2025TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Undefeated Featherweight Luis Nuñez Prepares for Hector Sosa Showdown on PBC on Prime Video , Wed, 03 Dec 2025Darry Bernardo, 4 other Pinoys in hot start in 3rd Asian Chess Championship 2025 for players with disabilities By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 03 Dec 2025Two Pacquiaos on same card? By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 02 Dec 2025OLYMPIC BOXING 4: 1924 OLYMPICS AT PARIS, FRANCE By Maloney L. Samaco, , Tue, 02 Dec 2025Cebuana Lhuillier-Backed UTP National Team Shines at 40th Penang Open, Captures Multiple Titles By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 02 Dec 2025WBC 63th Annual Convention Opens in Bangkok By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 02 Dec 2025Undefeated Brooklyn heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor closing out a strong 2026 , Tue, 02 Dec 2025USA Boxing Announces Partnership with Xempower USA , Tue, 02 Dec 2025THE RING 6: TEOFIMO-SHAKUR SET FOR JANUARY SHOWDOWN IN NEW YORK , Tue, 02 Dec 2025Undefeated Middleweight Dante Kirkman Set to Return December 11 in Costa Mesa , Tue, 02 Dec 2025Dejon Farrell Francis Turning Things Around , Tue, 02 Dec 2025WBC Light Heavyweight Champion David 'The Mexican Monster' Benavidez Excited About History-Making Cinco De Mayo Showdown with Gilberto Ramirez , Tue, 02 Dec 2025PPV.COM RETURNS TO THE RING LIVE STREAMING ALL-ACTION TITLE TILT ISAAC "PITBULL" CRUZ vs. LAMONT ROACH, JR , Tue, 02 Dec 2025Llover Eyes Winner of Salas-Ngexeke IBF Title Duel in Mexico By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 01 Dec 2025Jimuel draws in pro debut By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 01 Dec 2025Kevin Durant sets new NBA record By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 01 Dec 2025LAZARO LORENZANA CAPTURES WBC REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE OVER LUIS ARIAS , Sun, 30 Nov 2025Paras fails bid for IBO world super fly title By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 30 Nov 2025BIRMINGHAM FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS: BEN WHITTAKER CELEBRATES A WINNING START WITH MATCHROOM BOXING , Sun, 30 Nov 2025ThunderDome 52 Results: Clarke Defeats Seidu by Controversial Split Decision , Sun, 30 Nov 2025OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND QUOTES FROM TODAY’S OFFICIAL WEIGH-INS AND PRESS CONFERENCE FOR MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS’ HIGHLY ANTICIPATED U.S. DEBUT TOMORROW, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29 , Sat, 29 Nov 2025Tagaytay Hosts 3rd Asian Chess Championship for Disabled 2025 By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 29 Nov 2025WEIGHTS FROM PROBOXTV’S ‘THE CONTENDER SERIES’ AT SAVE MART CENTER IN FRESNO, SAT., NOVEMBER 29 , Sat, 29 Nov 2025 |

|
|
|
|
|