CHICAGO — The Celtics are back in their opening round playoff series after a 104-87 win over the Chicago Bulls in Game 3.
Five players finished in double figures as Boston aggressively attacked the paint and complemented that strategy with pinpoint shooting from three-point range, finishing with 17 threes.
After a blistering start that saw the Celtics build a 27-10 lead in the first quarter, the Bulls rallied to make it a 44-41 game at halftime.
Al Horford led the way with 18 points, followed by Isaiah Thomas and Jae Crowder, who each had 16. Avery Bradley scored 15 while second-year guard Terry Rozier scored a playoff career-high 11.
A 20-9 burst in the third quarter propelled Boston to a 14-point lead, and while the Bulls showed signs of life, the game was never again in question.
Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday at 6:30 in Chicago.