Flustered through the first three quarters, Jimmy Butler produced a breakout final period that was enough to carry the Chicago Bulls past the top-seeded Boston Celtics in the opener of their National Basketball Association first-round Eastern Conference play-off series.
Coming off of a Game 1 performance in which he posted 12 points, eight rebounds six assists, a block and two steals over 27 minutes, he turned in a vintage performance in Game 2, almost posting a triple-double with 11 points on 5-of-11 shooting along with nine rebounds, 14 assists and five steals over 40 dominant minutes in the 111-97 victory.
Wade and Jimmy Butler scored 22 points each, leading six Bulls players in double figures.
Thomas, who was emotional before the game and looking stunned the entire night, still managed to score 33 points in a game that saw the eighth-seeded Bulls manhandle the Eastern Conference No. 1 seed on the boards to get the win. The Celtics studied more than their normal amount of film in an effort to keep the Bulls from cleaning the offensive glass.
Basketball fans of both teams at the TD Garden in Boston offered a moment of silence to pay their respects for Thomas' 22-year-old little sister, Chyna Thomas, who died in a vehicle accident in Washington. No funeral date is set, and Stevens said the Celtics organization hopes to attend. Playing with a heavy heart, Isaiah Thomas then had to suit up for his team's playoff game against Chicago.
"It's something we've done a pretty solid job of all season long", Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said. Chicago is now 42-41 overall, 17-25 on the road and 43-40 against the spread.
European Union says China, Europe have interest in averting Korea crisis
Standing next to Mogherini, China's top diplomat State Councillor Yang Jiechi said China values its relations with the EU. The two leaders also exchanged in-depth views on worldwide and regional issues of common concern.
"But all we did was win one game. So we're just family", Bradley said. "When we played against Boston back in the day, he knew all the plays".
Chicago hauled down an unbelievable 20 offensive rebounds to win for the eighth time in its last 11 games. He grabbed eight rebounds in 31 minutes, and that led the team.
"We are terribly saddened by the tragic loss of Chyna Thomas", the Celtics said in a released statement. As Bradley told reporters following the game, they can't continue this series with their heads down.
The Celtics star managed a team-high 20 points on a mere 6 of 15 from the floor. "The best teams overcome any type of adversity".
Backcourt mate Dwyane Wade is all too familiar with Rondo's ability to hone in on an opposing team's game plan during a seven-game postseason series.
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