Irving scores 25, Celtics cruise past Bulls
Boston Celtics’ Kyrie Irving elbows Chicago Bulls’ Kris Dunn on the face as he goes past Dunn to the basket during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game. AP
BOSTON — Kyrie Irving makes spinning baskets off the dribble and converts drives in the lane while leaning in all sorts of different directions.
It’s the simple jump shot that earns praise from Boston coach Brad Stevens.
Irving scored 25 points, Jaylen Brown had 20 and the Celtics coasted to a 117-92 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday (Sunday Manila time).
Well known for his acrobatic moves, Irving shot 9 for 15 from the floor against Chicago — including 5 of 7 from beyond the 3-point line.
“I think that’s the one thing that gets lost in all the handles and all the different moves, and the plays that end up on YouTube, is how skilled he is shooting the ball,” Stevens said. “He’s just a tremendous shooter. He doesn’t miss when you’re just shooting without defense. He’s an elite shooter.”
Thanks to Irving’s sweet shooting, the Celtics (27-9) halted a two-game skid. They haven’t lost three straight all season.
“He’s one of the best — a true point guard that comes out, makes the right plays, the right decisions,” Brown said. “He’s assertive. He makes it easier for us.”
Jayson Tatum added 13 points, and Al Horford and Aron Baynes each had 10 for the Eastern Conference leaders as all five Celtics starters were in double figures. Reserve guard Marcus Smart scored 11 points and rookie Daniel Theis grabbed a season-high 15 rebounds to go with 10 points.
Bobby Portis paced the Bulls (10-22) with 17 points. Robin Lopez and Lauri Markkanen both scored 10. Chicago lost its second straight after a seven-game winning streak.
The Celtics avenged a lopsided defeat in Chicago on Dec. 11, when they lost by 23. Irving didn’t play in that game because he was rested.
“We knew they were going to come out and try and be aggressive because of that,” said Bulls guard Kris Dunn, who went 1 of 12 from the floor.
Boston shot 5 of 7 from beyond the arc in the third quarter and outscored the Bulls 38-18.
“They just had more edge than us, specifically that stretch in the third quarter,” Lopez said. “They seemed pretty comfortable out there, especially on offense.”
Brown nailed a pair of 3-pointers and scored seven points as the Celtics opened the third with a 13-2 run, pulling out to a 73-60 lead.
After the teams alternated baskets for a couple of minutes, Boston took charge by scoring 15 of the next 19 points. Irving had a pair of 3s during the run and Tatum added one.
Boston led 98-76 after three.
Chicago missed 12 of 18 shots overall in the third and committed six turnovers.
