Photo caption: Bulls center Nikola Vucevic scored a team-high 32 points in the team’s 138-129 loss to the Boston Celtics on Friday, November 29, at the UC.
The Chicago Bulls were eliminated from NBA Cup play on Friday, November 29, after losing to the Boston Celtics 138-129, at the United Center.
Center Nikola Vucevic scored a team-high 32 points in the loss versus the Celtics on Friday night and Coach Billy Donovan 12 man rotation was not enough to overcome Boston’s high power offense.
According to the Bulls, Chicago was outscored by the Celtics 39-30 in the first quarter. In the second quarter, Chicago would then close the quarter on a 12-4 run, taking back the lead at 67-64. At the half, the Bulls and Celtics were tied at 67 all.
The Bulls said the third quarter featured five lead changes as the two team’s remained tied at 96-96 to end the quarter. Boston took control of the fourth quarter with a 14-5 run, including a three-point explosion by Celtics guard Payton Pritchard, making four three-pointers in a two minute span.
Pritchard was a one man assault team, finishing with seven three-pointers on the night and second in team scoring with 29 points. Pritchard scored a single-quarter career-high 19 points in the fourth quarter. He is one of three NBA reserves with at least 29 points and seven 3FGM in a single game, according to the Bulls.
In addition to Pritchard’s big game, Bulls center Nikola Vucevic finished with a team-high 32 points.
With four three-point field goals made, Bulls guard Zach LaVine set the team’s franchise record with 1,051 3-point field goals, passing Kirk Hinrich (1,049) for the top spot on Chicago’s all-time three-point list. The Bulls connected on 20 three-point field goals and went 20 of 51 from the field. The team entered the night ranking ninth in the NBA in opponent 3FG% (.345), added the Bulls.
Final Score: Bulls 129, Celtics 138
With the loss, the Bulls finished 2-2 in NBA Cup Play. The team will play their next game on Monday, December 2, versus the Brooklyn Nets at the UC. Game time 7 p.m.
Chicago Crusader Player of The Game:
Bulls center Nikola Vucevic, scored a team-high 32 points in the loss versus the Celtics on Friday night.
Guard Zach LaVine became the Bulls all-time three-point leader in franchise history.
Photo credit: Marcus Robinson
