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Key Moment
Boston’s starting rotation was downright dominant during Friday night’s 105-83, series-clinching win over the Chicago Bulls.
All five starters reached double-figures in scoring by the end of the third quarter and each one had a plus/minus rating of plus-23 or higher.
However, it was Boston’s second unit that was responsible for sparking the Game 6 blowout, as Kelly Olynyk, Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier keyed a 12-0 run to start the second quarter.
The C’s were holding onto a slim, 30-25 lead one minute into the second frame, but things quickly escalated in their favor from there.
Olynyk got the run started with an easy layup, followed by consecutive 3-pointers from Smart and Rozier. Sixty-seven seconds was all it took for those eight points to be scored, while the Bulls notched zero points during that same span.
Gerald Green added to the run with a driving floater and then Olynyk banked home a cutting layup. Just like that, the Celtics were up 42-25, and it was smooth sailing straight to the second round from there.
Key Player
Dwyane Wade was frustrated by Avery Bradley’s offensive outpour Wednesday night, as Boston’s defensive-minded guard erupted for a postseason career-high 24 points, guiding the C’s to a 108-97 Game 5 win.
“You expect him to do what he does defensively, but we gave up 24 points to him tonight and that’s tough to overcome,” Wade said after Wednesday’s game. “He hurt us offensively tonight more than anything and we can’t allow him to get 20-plus (points).”
Well, the Bulls allowed Bradley to do it again Friday night, and once again he drove the Celtics to victory lane.
Bradley finished with a team-best 23 points on an outstanding 9-of-12 clip from the field. He added five rebounds, including a game-high three offensive boards, to go along with three assists, zero turnovers and a plus-26 rating.
Bradley’s stellar offensive effort left Wade and the Bulls shaking their heads in frustration once again, only this time they will have no chance to redeem themselves.
Box Score Nuggets
- All five Celtics starters reached double-figures in scoring by the end of the third quarter.
- Avery Bradley and Jimmy Butler led their respective teams in scoring with 23 points apiece.
- Boston shot 16-of-39 from 3-point range.
- The Bulls shot just 4-of-19 from long range.
- All five Celtics starters had a plus/minus rating of plus-23 or higher.
- Dwyane Wade, Nikola Mirotic and Isaiah Canaan each finished with a minus-27 rating.
- Wade was limited to two points, three assists and three rebounds, after logging a 26-point, 11-rebound, 8-assist Game 5 effort.
- Chicago edged Boston, 45-43 in the rebounding battle.
- The Celtics had seven players corral between four and six rebounds.
- Bobby Portis (11 rebounds) was the game's only player to grab more than seven boards.
- Both teams scored 40 points in the paint.
- Boston led by as many as 30 points.
- Chicago never led during the game.
Quote of the Night
Brad Stevens