Chicago Bulls, seeded eighth, beat top seeds Boston Celtics to take a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference in the 2017 NBA Playoffs in Boston on Wednesday.
It was once again Rajon Rondo who got the ball rolling with a stellar show of 11 points, 14 assists and nine rebounds. Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler both chipped in 22 points apiece and Robin Lopez netted 18. However, a certain Paul Zipser scored 16, coming off the bench.
The rookie, Paul Zipser, was phenomenal off the bench going 6-for-8 with 16pts. pic.twitter.com/v7wNoRGtGF
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) April 19, 2017
“I’m not surprised because everybody’s so locked in right now,” said Butler, who added eight rebounds and eight assists, after the match. “Everybody’s putting in each work, watching film, working on their game. That’s where your confidence always comes from,” added Butler.
The third game will be played in Chicago on Wednesday and the Celtics will need to get their act together.
Raptors draw level
Kyle Lowry powered the Toronto Raptors to beat Milwaukee Bucks 106-100 and level scores 1-1 in their playoff clash. Lowry scored 22 points in a resounding performance.
Kyle Lowry in the clutch for the @Raptors for the #KiaTopPlay! #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/fhO6rVAST6
— NBA (@NBA) April 19, 2017
“I’ve been in the trenches with him before and he’s always bounced back,” said Raptors coach Dwane Casey. “That’s just who he is. He’s a competitor, he’s a fighter. I just knew that he wasn’t going to be satisfied with the way he played in the first game”. DeMar DeRozan had 23 points and Serge Ibaka added 16 to complete the win.
Results:
- Toronto Raptors 106 beat Milwaukee Bucks 100
- Boston Celtics 97 lost to Chicago Bulls 111
- LA Clippers 99 beat Utah Jazz 91