The Bulls had a better-looking final score Friday than they did in Monday’s 35-point loss in Boston, but the same issue kept sinking them: giveaways that turned into Celtics points.
Chicago coughed it up 16 times in the NBA Cup opener after committing 25 turnovers in Monday’s 134-99 defeat. Boston made those mistakes hurt in a big way, scoring 39 points off turnovers in the first meeting and 21 more in the rematch. Across the two wins in five days, the Celtics piled up 60 points off 41 Chicago turnovers.
That was the difference in a game that got away early. Boston’s pressure and execution off those steals helped push the lead to as many as 32 points in the second quarter. The Celtics were not perfect with the ball themselves - they had 14 turnovers Friday - but they were far cleaner than Chicago and far more dangerous once possession flipped.
The Bulls did manage some offense. They scored 111 points and hit 15 3-pointers, and they shaved into the margin late after Boston had emptied its bench. But that kind of recovery only goes so far when too many trips end before a shot even goes up.
For Boston, the pair of wins showed how quickly defense can turn into easy offense. The Celtics are now 4-1 and have won four straight. If they keep forcing mistakes and cashing them in the way they did against Chicago, opponents are going to have to handle every possession like it matters.
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Payton Pritchard Is Giving The Celtics More Than Just Scoring
Early in the season, Joe Mazzulla pushed Payton Pritchard to bring more to the Celtics than shot-making, and the guard has clearly taken the message to heart. In Bostons recent NBA Cup game against the Chicago Bulls, Pritchard paired his usual scoring punch with a noticeably sharper edge on the defensive end, showing the kind of activity that can help him stay on the floor in bigger moments.
Pritchard has said he wants to add more on-ball pressure and rebound better, and Mazzulla was encouraged enough by the showing to point to even more room for growth. For a Celtics team that already leans on Pritchards offense, the appeal is obvious if he can keep turning those defensive habits into something steady rather than occasional. [Read more 🡒]
Paul George Is Driving A Celtics Change That Could Matter In May
Bostons defense has looked noticeably more disruptive early on, with the ball pressure and activity level showing up in ways that go beyond the usual opening-month noise. The Celtics are getting into passing lanes, swiping at dribbles and turning stops into chances to run, a shift that has given the group a different kind of edge while also cutting down on second-chance looks at the other end.
Paul George has been right at the center of that change, bringing the kind of defensive playmaking that can swing possessions before a set offense ever gets started. His rebounding has helped finish possessions, too, and if this level of aggressiveness holds, it could give Boston a useful wrinkle when the games tighten and the margins shrink later in the season. [Read more 🡒]
Bulls Hit Another Low After Celtics Loss As Frustration Boils Over
The opening night of the 2026 NBA Cup had no shortage of eye-catching moments around the league, from Stephen Curry leading the Warriors back from a big first-quarter hole against the Lakers to Kevin Durant throwing down a highlight dunk for the Rockets. But from the Celtics' perspective, one of the cleaner results came in Chicago, where Boston handled the Bulls and kept a team already searching for answers mired in the same defensive trouble that has followed them through the start of the season.
For Chicago, the loss only deepened the sense of unease around a team that has struggled to find any traction early. The Bulls have been giving up points in bunches, and the frustration around that slide is starting to show in public. Caleb Wilson did not hide how he feels after the game, underscoring just how raw the mood has become as the Bulls try to stop the bleeding. [Read more 🡒]