Celtics Rout Bulls 134-99 in Boston

The Chicago Bulls suffered a decisive defeat on Monday night, losing 134-99 to the Boston Celtics in Boston. The young roster, now 1-3, failed to maintain a competitive pace for long stretches of the contest. The game was effectively decided by the start of the third quarter, when Boston’s halftime lead of 12 points expanded to 30.

The Celtics dominated the statistical categories that determine possession. They outscored the Bulls 39-21 in the third quarter alone, a stretch fueled by 19 points from Payton Pritchard. Boston also controlled the interior and the glass, outscoring Chicago 46-30 in the paint. The visitors were outrebounded 54-40 for the entire game, a deficit driven by 19 offensive rebounds secured by the home team.

Head coach Tiago Splitter identified rebounding as the primary cause of the loss. He noted that while the team anticipated Boston’s three-point threat, allowing second and third chances made the contest difficult to win. Splitter stated that the Bulls must improve their rebounding, ball security, and shooting efficiency. He emphasized that giving up extra possessions to a team capable of shooting well is a difficult position to recover from.

Forward Matas Buzelis acknowledged that the defensive unit possesses the physical tools to perform at a higher level. He cited the athletic ability and length of players including himself, Caleb Wilson, Jalen Smith, Nic Claxton, and Lenny Miller. Buzelis described the desired defensive coordination as almost telepathic, noting that it takes time for players to understand their positioning and responsibilities without explicit communication. He compared the process to developing habits from previous seasons, such as anticipating the movements of specific opponents.

The absence of Nic Claxton, who is out with a strained left hamstring, left the Bulls without a 6-11 center to match Boston’s big men. Splitter reported that Claxton participated in a good individual workout on the court on Monday morning, though not yet with the full team. The coaching staff plans to increase his individual practice sessions at the start of next week, with the goal of reintegrating him into group drills soon.

The Bulls’ rebounding issues continued a trend from the previous day, when they lost to the Washington Wizards and were outrebounded 48-44. Boston’s frontcourt advantage was evident in the first half, where they controlled the board by a 30-19 margin. The loss marks the third game in which the team has struggled to limit opponents’ second-chance points.

Forward Lenny Miller, in his fourth NBA season, is undergoing mechanical adjustments to improve his three-point shooting. Splitter explained that the staff is working to smooth out a hitch in Miller’s shot, a process that requires significant effort and comfort. Miller is currently shooting 25% from deep this season, a drop from the 35.6% he recorded in 27 games with Chicago last year. The coaching staff views improving shooting as a key part of the team’s overall development.