Recapping Bulls-Celtics season series
Recapping the Bulls-Celtics season series, series split 2-2:
Oct. 27 at United Center:
Bulls 105, Celtics 99:
In the season opener for the Bulls, Dwyane Wade sealed the victory in his first game with the Bulls by knocking down a step-back 3-pointer with 26.3 seconds left. The Bulls led by 14 points in the fourth quarter before the Celtics closed within 2. Wade scored 22 points, while Jimmy Butler was high-scorer with 24 points. Isaiah Thomas hit 10 of 15 shots and led Boston with 25 points. Among the other highlights was a minor scuffle between former Marquette teammates Butler and Jae Crowder.
Nov. 2 at TD Garden
Celtics 107, Bulls 100
In their fourth game of the season, the Bulls met the Celtics for the second time and suffered their first loss after a 3-0 start. The Bulls trailed by 16 early in the fourth quarter, then rallied to tie the score at 100-100 on Nikola Mirotic free throws with 1:57 left. One possession later, Mirotic missed a pair of free throws and the Bulls didn't score again. Jimmy Butler led the Bulls with 23 points, Mirotic had 17. Celtics PF Amir Johnson scored his season-high of 23 points, matching Isaiah Thomas for the team lead. Al Horford missed the game due to a concussion.
Feb. 16 at United Center
Bulls 104, Celtics 103
With the Bulls trailing by 1, Jimmy Butler launched a tough jumper that hit the front of the rim as the horn sounded. The TNT win streak appeared to be over but a foul was called on Marcus Smart for tapping Butler on the elbow. The refs put 0.9 seconds back on the clock, Butler hit both free throws and the Bulls won. The Celtics were livid after the game. There was plenty of discussion about whether a foul should have been called, but if it went the other way, Boston might be playing Miami in the first round. Butler finished with 29 points. In his last game with the Bulls before being traded, Taj Gibson had 12 points and 8 rebounds. Isaiah Thomas led the Celtics with 29 points.
March 12 at TD Garden
Celtics 100, Bulls 80
In a Sunday afternoon ABC game, the Bulls flat-out stunk at the start, falling behind 13-0 and scoring a season-low 9 points in the first quarter. Boston's lead eventually grew to 29 points in the second half, prompting the Bulls to make a couple of changes. Rajon Rondo returned to the starting lineup the next day and Nikola Mirotic was brought back into the rotation after his third benching of the season. Mirotic was inactive for this game.