The Celtics got back on track with an easy win over the Chicago Bulls, and man, did they need this one. After all the drama and questions swirling around lately, it felt good to just methodically take care of business against a shorthanded team.
Kristaps Porzingis was the star of the show, putting on an absolute shooting clinic. He dropped 34 points on 10-of-18 shooting, including a scorching 8-of-14 from downtown. That’s a career-high in threes made for KP, and you could tell he was feeling it right from the jump. He came out firing in the first quarter, nailing 3-of-4 from deep and setting the tone early.
What I loved seeing was Porzingis having fun out there. After hitting some of those goofy-looking threes with the leg kick, he’d look back at the bench with a big smile. It’s clear he’s getting more comfortable, and that could be huge for the Celtics moving forward.
Jaylen and Derrick Step Up
While Jayson Tatum had a relatively quiet night (16 points on 5-of-15 shooting), Jaylen Brown and Derrick White picked up the slack. Jaylen put together a really professional performance with 28 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. He made some elite defensive plays too, including a beautiful steal and coast-to-coast finish that showcased his athleticism and basketball IQ.
Derrick White continued to be Boston’s bellwether, putting up 22 points with 5 assists. When he’s clicking like this, we’re tough to beat. The combination of Porzingis, Brown, and White accounted for 84 of the 122 points – that’s the kind of balanced attack they need.
Springer’s Impact
Here’s an interesting wrinkle: Jaden Springer is making me reconsider my stance on his future with the team. I’ve been saying all year he’d likely be gone at the deadline, but his recent play has me thinking twice. In 20 minutes against the Bulls, he brought incredible defensive energy and made an immediate impact.
Springer’s become that spark plug off the bench, the guy who can change the energy of the game with his tenacious on-ball defense. He’s forcing everyone else to match his intensity, and that’s an element they’ve been missing. With the trade deadline approaching, I’m starting to think Brad Stevens should seriously consider keeping him around.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Celtics’ win over the Bulls, tune into the Locked On Celtics podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Celtics Podcast:
• Reintegrating Porzingis and its impact on the team’s recent struggles
• The importance of “boring” wins at this point in the season
• A look ahead to upcoming games against New Orleans, Philadelphia, and Cleveland
