Bulls stun Celtics in Game 1; Thomas plays after sister's death | Inquirer Sports

Bulls stun Celtics in Game 1; Thomas plays after sister’s death

/ 10:01 AM April 17, 2017

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 16: Jimmy Butler #21 of the Chicago Bulls takes a shot against the Boston Celtics during the third quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at TD Garden on April 16, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.   Maddie Meyer/Getty Images/AFP

BOSTON, MA – APRIL 16: Jimmy Butler #21 of the Chicago Bulls takes a shot against the Boston Celtics during the third quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at TD Garden on April 16, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images/AFP

BOSTON — Jimmy Butler had 30 points and nine rebounds and the Chicago Bulls outlasted Boston 106-102 in Game 1 on Sunday on an emotional night for grieving Celtics star Isaiah Thomas.

Playing a day after 22-year-old sister Chyna Thomas was killed in a car accident in their home state of Washington, Thomas led the top-seeded Celtics with 33 points.

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Butler scored 23 points in the second half. Bobby Portis finished with 19 for the Bulls.

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Al Horford had 19 points, eight assists and seven rebounds for Boston.

Game 2 in the first-round series is Tuesday night in Boston.

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Neither team had more than a two-possession lead until Butler made three free throws with 4 minutes to play make it 95-88. Butler scored 10 straight points to put the Bulls back in front early in the fourth, the first of three lead changes in the fourth quarter.

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Later, Thomas had a scary moment when he was hit on his left hand on a 3-point attempt before landing awkwardly on it. After a quick visit to the trainer, he calmly made all three free throws.

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It was part of a stretch in which he scored seven straight points.

Celtics fans rallied behind Thomas, showering him with a deafening cheer when he was introduced.

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Still, Thomas appeared to be a little emotional at the start of the game, badly missing his first free throw short off the front rim. He wasn’t the only Boston player a little off their game in the first half.

Boston’s second unit started the second quarter 1 for 7 from the field and was outscored 10-0 to surrender the Celtics’ first-quarter lead.

The Bulls had their moments of fallibility as well.

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Late in the second quarter Wade intercepted an errant pass by Thomas, but got hung on the front of the rim as he attempted a dunk on the fast break.

TAGS: Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, NBA playoffs

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