BOSTON — These days, the Celtics can’t seem to find a way to make it easy themselves.
Last week, the C’s relaxed against a Thunder team without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and paid the price for it. A few nights later, they got a little comfortable against the undermanned Spurs and survived. Two nights later, it was more of the same.
The Celtics seemed to be in the driver’s seat on Monday night against the Bulls. Chicago star DeMar DeRozan had left with an injury and the C’s proceeded to go up by as many as 16 behind a strong run from Jayson Tatum. But easy isn’t how the Celtics roll. The Bulls, behind the brilliance of Zach LaVine, cut it to two inside the final minute. But with a few friendly bounces, the C’s survived as they held off the Bulls for a 107-99 victory at TD Garden.
Al Horford hit a 3-pointer with 24 seconds to go that rolled around the rim and in as the Celtics sealed the win. Tatum scored 32 points, Grant Williams added a season-high 20 points and the Celtics overcame another poor shooting night, going 11-for-41 from long range – which included an 0-for-8 effort from Jaylen Brown – as they hit the midway point of their season with the NBA’s best record at 29-12.
