| |
|
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:
Fiery Exchange at Fanatics Fest: Garcia and Benn Nearly Brawl in New York Ahead of Sept. 12 Title Clash
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Tue, 21 Jul 2026John Michael Zulueta Headlines in Highland Show July 25 in Thailand, LIVE on TrillerTV
By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026Results from Dominican Republic: Alberto Puello Stops Ángel Bolaño in 3
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026Matchroom Boxing reveals major fights in UK & Ireland schedule from August to October
, Tue, 21 Jul 2026Colombia National Congress Awarded "Kid Pambelé" with Grand Cross Knight
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026MILO Marathon returns to Davao on August 2
By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 21 Jul 2026PHILBOXING.COM WEEKEND ROUNDUP: News, Fallout, and the Long Shadow of Sydney
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Tue, 21 Jul 2026Joe Hand Promotions Secures Commercial Rights for Errol Spence Jr. vs. Tim Tszyu Showdown
, Tue, 21 Jul 2026Grandy Twins Head to Tampa to Learn from Hall of Famers Antonio Tarver and Winky Wright Ahead of August 14 Homecoming Fight
, Tue, 21 Jul 2026Matchroom Extends Brentwood Town Fc Partnership as Principle Partner for Next Five Years as Barry Hearn Obe Provides Significant Investment to Non-League Football Club
, Tue, 21 Jul 2026IBA Pro announces departure of Director Al Siesta
, Mon, 20 Jul 2026Suarez sends strong signal
By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 20 Jul 2026THE CORNER SHIFT: Can Ronnie Shields Rebuild Errol Spence Jr. After the Derrick James Fallout?
By T. Chin-Te, , Mon, 20 Jul 2026Yusniel Abrahante Shocks Undefeated Luis Coria in Dominant Performance Live on ProBox TV
, Sun, 19 Jul 2026Salamov stops Suarez as Borshchev beats Brito at historic IBA Bare Knuckle US debut
, Sun, 19 Jul 2026Pichay re-elected NCFP prexy, eyes more GMs
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 19 Jul 2026Olympus Rising by TWC - Amateur MMA Fight on Saturday; live broadcast via Kalaro 3.0 Sports Super-app
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 19 Jul 2026Suarez Obliterates Avila in One-Round Blitz to Capture WBO International Crown (Photos)
By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 19 Jul 2026Spence vs Tszyu, The Biggest Crossroad Fight Of 2026!
By Ralph Rimpell, , Sun, 19 Jul 2026Cebuana Lhuillier-backed Blu Girls Power Past Host Peru, Finish World Cup Campaign on a High Note
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 19 Jul 2026Diego Pacheco and Immanuwel Aleem Tip Scales for Carson Showdown
, Sat, 18 Jul 2026Weights From ‘Flores vs. Navarro’ and 'Suarez vs Avila' at NOS Events Center in San Bernardino, CA & Live on ProBoxTV
, Sat, 18 Jul 2026Tickets on Sale Now for Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Damian Knyba at Prudential Center, Newark, NJ on Sept 4 – Live on TNT and DAZN
, Sat, 18 Jul 2026Golden Boy Promotions and Vergil Ortiz Jr. Reach Settlement, Focus on Biggest Fights Ahead
, Sat, 18 Jul 2026Cebuana Lhuillier-backed Blu Girls Pull Off Stunning Comeback Against World No 3 Puerto Rico, Split Doubleheader in Lima
By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 17 Jul 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
