Celtics Throttle Bulls, 133-77
Jaylen Brown led the way with 23 points and Daniel Theis added a career-high 22 as the Celtics cruised past the Bulls, 133-77, at United Center on Saturday night. It was Boston's fifth straight win and their largest margin of victory in franchise history.
The Celtics dominated the contest from the opening tip, jumping out to a 17-0 lead. Chicago didn't score its first field goal until the 5:06 mark of the first quarter.
Chicago's 56-point margin of defeat was its largest in franchise history.
Theis, making his first start of the season, played the best game of his NBA career. In addition to setting a new career-high in points, the German big man dished out a career-high five assists and added a game-high 10 rebounds.
Theis started the game after Al Horford was ruled out shortly before tip-off with knee soreness. Bigs Aron Baynes (ankle) and Robert Williams (personal) also were out of the lineup for the Celtics.
Another Celtics' big, Guerschon Yabusele, had to be helped off the court in the fourth quarter of Saturday night's game after suffering a severe ankle sprain while trying to protect the rim as Shaquille Harrison drove to the basket.
"No break, so that's good," Celtics coach Brad Stevens told reporters after the game. "But he'll probably out awhile."
Brown had another solid outing for Boston after missing three straight games with a back injury. His season-high 23 points came just two days after scoring a then season-high 21 points in the Celtics' 128-100 win against the Knicks.
The Celtics (15-10) return to TD Garden on Monday, when they host the New Orleans Pelicans (13-14).