Isaiah led the Celtics with 33 points, but he may not be around for Game 2. Game 2 is Tuesday night at TD Garden. In an area where many felt the Celtics could be exploited, the Bulls pounded Boston on the glass 53-36.
On Saturday, NBA star Isaiah Thomas lost his sister in a deadly one-car crash.
(At) Golden State 121, Portland 109: Kevin Durant had 32 points and 10 rebounds in his Golden State playoff debut, Stephen Curry scored 29, and the Warriors withstood a sensational day by Portland duo CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard to take Game 1 of the first-round series.
But if there's a group built for such a challenge, it would seem to be this one.
How he was able to lock in down the stretch was no surprise to his coach. "I think that one of the things that I've learned, having been through situations in the past is that there's really no right or wrong answer".
Thomas was informed of Chyna's death after the Celtics' Saturday afternoon practice and, after some deliberation, elected to play on Sunday evening. "That's what you hope you have in a team".
Celtics coach Brad Stevens talked after the game about the impact Thomas had.
Search for Steve Stephens goes national as officials offer $50000 reward
Calvin Williams said Sunday that he's urging Steve Stephens to turn himself in and not to "do anymore harm to anybody". Officers have searched dozens of places around the city and spoke with the suspect by mobile phone, police said .
Chicago prevailed on an emotional night in Boston, as Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas played the day after his younger sister, Chyna, was killed in a auto crash. Stevens, however, stressed that all plans are up to Thomas. The Bulls controlled inside throughout the game and forced the Celtics into shooting from the outside, where the shots stopped falling in the fourth quarter. The win was the first time the No. 8 seed defeated the No. 1 seed in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference playoffs since the Atlanta Hawks defeated the Indiana Pacers in 2014. The players held hands during the national anthem, the display coming at time when NFL players, notably Colin Kaepernick, were protesting by kneeling. The two grew up outside Seattle and played AAU ball together.
Cameras showed Thomas weeping on the bench during pregame warmups - teammate Avery Bradley close by his side to comfort him. "But we were together for some film, some walk-through, and we'll be back together [Tuesday]". "Because as a player, we have so much going on in our mind". "And no matter what goes on, we're always going to have each other's back".
Still, there is basketball to be played.
"We were so locked in all week", said Butler, who also pulled down nine rebounds as the Bulls capitalized on their size advantage and controlled the inside. This is the best team they have had in a while with Isaiah Thomas, an MVP candidate, and Al Horford, the big money free agent signing in the last offseason.
Bradley found inspiration in the way Thomas performed in Game 1.
"Part of being supportive for him is putting our best foot forward", Stevens said.
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