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Keys to the Game: Bulls 104, Celtics 103

Marc D'Amico
Team Reporter and Analyst

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Key Moment

No one ever wants to say that a game was decided by referees. But Thursday’s game between the Boston Celtics and the Chicago Bulls was decided by referees.

Whether the foul called on Marcus Smart with 0.9 seconds left was correct or incorrect is now a moot point. It was called. And it changed the outcome of the game.

Boston led 103-102 with 8.4 seconds left on the game clock. Chicago had just called timeout after grabbing a rebound off of a missed 3-pointer by Isaiah Thomas.

The play Chicago drew up lacked sophistication. In fact, it can be summarized in just a few words: “Give it to Jimmy, and get out of the way.”

Jimmy Butler had already scored 27 points in the game and Chicago looked in his direction for two more for the win. The Bulls gave him the ball off of the inbound pass and let him go one-on-one with Smart for the win.

Butler made a move off the dribble from beyond the 3-point line on the right wing, but Smart, as always played great defense. Smart forced Butler into a difficult, turnaround jumper from about 21 feet from the basket. Smart challenged the shot tightly and Butler came up short as the final buzzer sounded.

Bulls fans dropped their heads in defeat. Celtics fans raised their arms in celebration. The Celtics even pumped their fists and began moving down court to their bench after logging a gutsy win on the road heading into the All-Star break.

Then everyone realized a whistle had been blown as Butler’s shot came up short.

Smart was called for a foul on the play, sending Butler to the free-throw line with 0.9 seconds left on the clock. Butler calmly converted on both attempts to push Chicago ahead 104-103.

The Celtics attempted a game-winner at the buzzer following back-to-back timeouts, but Al Horford’s baseline jumper was no good.

Horford could have won the game, sure. Butler could have missed a free throw, or even both, sure. But the outcome of this game, in hindsight, was a pure result of that foul called on Smart.

Was it a foul? The Celtics and their fans likely don’t believe so, while the Bulls and their fans will surely claim that it was.

The true answer doesn’t matter. The whistle was blown, Butler hit the shots, and Chicago grabbed the win.

Key Player

Flying under the radar Thursday night in Chicago, amid a crazy finish at the United Center, was the fact that Isaiah Thomas made Celtics history. Thomas became the first player in the history of the storied franchise to score at least 20 points in 41 consecutive games. He passed John Havlicek, who previously held the record with 40 consecutive such games.

Thomas finished the night tied for the game high in points (29) and also dished out seven assists. Coincidentally, he matched Jimmy Butler, who won the game with free throws during the final second, in both of those categories.

The similar stat lines between the two All-Stars continued into the free throw column. Both Thomas and Butler made and attempted nine freebies, accounting for the game’s top mark in each category.

Boston came up short as a result of Butler’s final two free throws, but that result doesn’t take away from what IT has accomplished over his last 41 games. Think of all of the greats who have donned a Celtics uniform since the team was founded in 1946. Not one of them has ever done what Thomas has done this season.

Forty-one straight games with at least 20 points. Forty-one games, and counting.

Box Score Nuggets

  • Isaiah Thomas and Jimmy Butler matched each other in points (29), assists (seven), free throws made (nine) and free throws attempted (nine).
  • Three of Boston's starters scored seven points or fewer.
  • Neither team committed more than eight turnovers, as they combined to commit only 15 on the night.
  • Boston outshot Chicago by 4.6 percent, but Chicago attempted 23 more field goals than the Celtics did.
  • Both teams scored 40 points in the paint.
  • Former Celtic Rajon Rondo led the game with eight assists.
  • Kelly Olynyk came off of Boston's bench to log 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
  • Bobby Portis came off of Chicago's bench to log 19 points and eight rebounds.
  • Chicago outscored Boston 22-4 in second-chance points.
  • The Bulls grabbed 15 offensive rebounds.
  • Chicago outrebounded Boston 51-31.
  • Amir Johnson and Al Horford scored 10 and seven points, respectively, during the first quarter, and then never scored again.
  • Terry Rozier scored 11 points and dished out three assists while not committing a single turnover.

Quote of the Night

Isaiah Thomas' response to setting Boston's new franchise record for consecutive games of at least 20 points.