NBA · October 26, 2026

Celtics Dominate Bulls in 35-Point Thriller as Forecast Holds Up

Boston Celtics 134, Chicago Bulls 99: The final score tells the story of a lopsided matchup where the Boston Celtics dismantled the Chicago Bulls by a staggering thirty-five points. This decisive victory not only secured the win for the hosts but also validated a pre-game analysis that highlighted a fundamental mismatch between Boston’s elite offensive capabilities and Chicago’s struggling defense. The gap was evident from the opening tip, with Boston controlling the tempo and leaving little room for the visitors to mount any serious challenge.

The pre-game forecast centered on the stark contrast between the two teams’ defensive capabilities, predicting that Boston’s offense would exploit Chicago’s vulnerabilities. The prediction correctly anticipated that the Bulls’ defense, ranked among the worst in the league, would struggle to contain Boston’s high-powered attack led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Additionally, the analysis noted Boston’s rest advantage, as the Celtics had played on Friday and enjoyed an extra day of recovery compared to the Bulls, who were dealing with shorter rest cycles. This physical edge was expected to translate into sustained offensive efficiency and better late-game execution.

What actually unfolded confirmed these key points with striking accuracy. Boston’s offense operated at an elite level, shooting over fifty percent from the field and outscoring Chicago by a significant margin, particularly in the crucial third quarter where they outscored the Bulls thirty-nine to twenty-one. The Bulls’ defensive struggles were on full display, as they allowed one hundred and thirty-four points, failing to impose the shooting slump on Boston that had been the only realistic path to an upset. The Celtics’ rest advantage was also apparent, as they maintained their energy and focus throughout the game, ultimately delivering a comprehensive victory that left no doubt about the disparity between the two teams.

On the field

Payton Pritchard led the Celtics with a season-high 28 points, fueling a decisive 39-point third quarter that turned the game into a rout. Boston built a 40-point lead, overwhelming Chicago’s defense as the Bulls managed only 99 points against their usual offensive output. On the losing side, Matas Buzelis and Josh Giddey struggled significantly, recording just one rebound each against their season averages. The Bulls’ lone bright spot was a 12-point second-quarter surge, but it was insufficient to stop Boston’s dominant performance.

Highlights

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Images and videos courtesy ESPN