Celtics bench outplays Bulls starters in 134-99 rout

Payton Pritchard scored 19 points in the third quarter alone, a total that nearly matched the entire Chicago Bulls offense for the period, as the Boston Celtics dismantled the visitors 134-99 on Monday night at TD Garden.

The sixth man led all Celtics in scoring with 28 points, going 7-for-10 from beyond the arc and adding four assists in just 22 minutes. His offensive surge was the defining factor in a game where Boston’s depth units outperformed the starting lineups, turning a comfortable lead into a rout.

Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla noted that Pritchard’s performance elevated the team’s capabilities. "When he does what he does tonight, it makes us even a better team," Mazzulla said. The guard finished 10-for-16 from the field, a sharp contrast to his previous outing where he was held to four points on 1-of-5 shooting against the New York Knicks.

Boston’s dominance was rooted in defensive pressure that disrupted Chicago’s rhythm. The Celtics forced 25 turnovers, converting them into 39 points, and held the Bulls to a 39% shooting percentage. The defensive intensity allowed the bench to play extended minutes without the lead evaporating, a key strategic win for a team managing the load for its veterans.

The second unit’s impact was quantifiable across multiple players. Pritchard, Sam Hauser, Neemias Queta, and Hugo Gonzalez all posted a plus-minus rating of 20 or better. Gonzalez, who had not scored in his first two games, contributed 13 points, five rebounds, and one block while playing 24 minutes. His efficiency was evident in his plus-34 rating, the highest on the team.

Jayson Tatum led the starters with 21 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, though he shot 7-for-17 from the floor. Paul George struggled early, combining for 10 total turnovers with Derrick White in the first half, but recovered to finish with 16 points. The early miscues allowed Chicago to close the gap to three points at one stage, but Boston stabilized with a 10-1 run late in the half.

The final quarter became a formality after Boston built a 30-point cushion. Mike Conley, signed this offseason to provide depth behind White and Pritchard, made his team debut in the fourth quarter, going 2-for-2 from three-point range in seven minutes. Ron Harper Jr. also saw his first action of the season, and first-round pick Chris Cenac Jr. made his NBA debut, hitting a three-pointer on his first touch.

The victory sets up Boston’s first back-to-back of the season, with the team hosting the Brooklyn Nets at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Mazzulla indicated that the decision to rest veterans like Tatum, George, and Mitchell Robinson for that matchup will depend on the sports science team’s assessment. The 2-1 Celtics will look to maintain their momentum as they face six more back-to-backs before the end of November.

The game ended with the Bulls’ top draft pick, Caleb Wilson, drawing a flagrant foul on Gonzalez in the final minute. Gonzalez stayed in the game, finishing his strong debut stretch with no turnovers. The Celtics’ ability to generate offense from both ends of the floor, particularly from the bench, provided a clear blueprint for their upcoming schedule.

Mazzulla emphasized the balance between veteran health and locker room engagement. "We have to do what gives us the best chance to win, and at the same time, keep those guys healthy and validate the whole locker room by putting guys in situations where they’ve got to win games for us," he said. The team’s depth proved sufficient to absorb the minutes, allowing key players to rest before the next challenge.