The Boston Celtics sent their fans into the All-Star break on a high note, dispatching the Chicago Bulls 124-105 on Wednesday night at TD Garden. With this convincing win, the Celtics improved to 35-19 on the season, securing sole possession of second place in the Eastern Conference—just half a game ahead of the New York Knicks. For the Bulls, the loss marked their fifth straight defeat and extended their recent road woes, leaving them at 24-31 as the NBA’s midseason pause begins.
This matchup was the third meeting between the two teams in the 2025-2026 campaign. Chicago had claimed the previous contest in a nail-biter, 114-111, but Boston left little doubt this time. The Celtics, entering as 13.5-point favorites according to most sportsbooks, justified the odds with a balanced offensive attack and stifling defense that kept the Bulls at bay for most of the night.
Payton Pritchard emerged as the unlikely scoring leader for the Celtics, pouring in 26 points while orchestrating the offense with poise. Jaylen Brown, who will be one of 10 starters in Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game, chipped in 24 points, continuing his stellar season as the league’s fourth-leading scorer at 29.4 points per game. Brown’s consistent production has been a major reason for Boston’s surge, and he looked every bit the All-Star against a Bulls squad searching for answers.
“We wanted to finish strong heading into the break, and everyone contributed tonight,” Pritchard said after the game, visibly energized by his performance and the team’s effort. Nikola Vucevic, facing his former Chicago teammates for just the third time since his recent trade, also made his mark with 19 points and 11 rebounds off the bench. “It felt good to go up against my old squad, but most importantly, we got the win and kept our momentum going,” Vucevic shared in the locker room, according to NBCS-BOS.
Boston’s victory was built on more than just star power. The team’s depth and defensive tenacity shone through, as they held the Bulls to just 105 points—a notable feat given that Chicago averages 117 points per game, ranking 11th in the NBA. The Celtics, meanwhile, have boasted the second-best defensive rating in the league and showed why, contesting shots and forcing turnovers at key moments throughout the contest.
The Bulls, who had hoped to snap a four-game road losing streak and rebound from a tough 123-115 loss to the Brooklyn Nets, started the game with energy but struggled to keep pace after halftime. Anfernee Simons, fresh off a 23-point, seven-assist effort against Brooklyn, managed to get into double digits but couldn’t replicate his recent heroics. Matas Buzelis, one of Chicago’s emerging young talents, contributed as well, but the Bulls’ offense was stifled by Boston’s length and discipline.
Injuries continued to hamper the Bulls’ rotation. Zach Collins (toe) and Noa Essengue (shoulder) remained sidelined, while Tre Jones (hamstring), Jalen Smith (calf), and Josh Giddey (hamstring) were all listed as day-to-day, leaving Chicago shorthanded in key areas. Isaac Okoro also missed the contest with a knee issue. The Celtics, for their part, were without All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum, who is recovering from a right Achilles repair, but their depth proved more than sufficient on this occasion. Sam Hauser (back spasms) and Neemias Queta (ankle) were both probable and saw limited action.
Boston’s statistical dominance was apparent from tip-off. The Celtics entered the night averaging 115.1 points per game—good for 19th in the league—but their scoring outburst against Chicago exceeded that mark handily. Their defense, ranked 10th overall, limited the Bulls to just 44.3% shooting, well below Chicago’s season average of 47.1%. The Celtics also controlled the glass, with Vucevic, Brown, and Queta leading the way in rebounding.
From a betting perspective, the Celtics covered the 13.5-point spread with room to spare, and the game’s total of 229 points sailed over the consensus line of 226.5. Boston improved to 29-25 against the spread for the season and continued its trend of strong home performances. The Bulls, meanwhile, dropped to 24-31 ATS and saw their struggles as double-digit underdogs continue, despite having covered in their only previous contest as a 13.5-point dog this season.
Chicago’s recent skid has been marked by defensive lapses and inconsistent scoring. Over their last 10 games, the Bulls have gone just 2-8, with opponents averaging nearly 121 points per contest against them. The absence of key rotation players has certainly played a role, but head coach Billy Donovan acknowledged after the game that the team must “find a way to dig in defensively and execute better down the stretch.”
For Boston, the win capped an impressive stretch in which they’ve won eight of their last 11 games. The Celtics now enter the All-Star break with momentum and a clear sense of purpose. “We’re not satisfied yet, but we’re proud of the way we’re playing,” Jaylen Brown told reporters. “We know there’s a long way to go, but this is a great way to head into the break.” The Celtics will resume their campaign on February 19 with a road test against the Golden State Warriors, while the Bulls will look to regroup and get healthy before returning to action.
Both teams remain among the league’s most prolific three-point shooting squads, ranking in the top eight in attempts per game, but it was Boston’s efficiency and defensive discipline that made the difference on this night. With the playoff race heating up and the All-Star festivities on the horizon, the Celtics have firmly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the East, while the Bulls face some soul-searching as they try to right the ship in the season’s second half.
As the TD Garden crowd filed out, the sense of optimism was palpable. The Celtics, buoyed by strong performances from their stars and role players alike, are poised to make noise in the postseason. For the Bulls, the break offers a much-needed chance to regroup, heal, and recalibrate their approach for the challenges ahead.