Pritchard nets 30, Celtics ease past turnover-prone Bulls 125-111 in NBA
Cup action
[October 31, 2026]
By KYLE HIGHTOWER
BOSTON (AP) — Payton Pritchard scored 30 points, and
the Boston Celtics raced past the Chicago Bulls 125-111 on Friday night
in the NBA Cup opener for both teams.
Jayson Tatum added 26 points in 34 minutes. Paul George finished with 18
points and eight assists for Boston, which has won its last four games. |
Boston Celtics' Payton Pritchard pumps his fist after hitting a 3-point
basket against the Chicago Bulls during the first half of an NBA Cup
basketball game, Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles
Krupa) |
|
The Celtics got the lead up to 32 with 1:52 left in the first
half. Chicago didn’t cut into the lead until the fourth quarter
after Boston’s starters had already been pulled.
Pritchard paced the Celtics’ attack early, scoring 20 points in
the first half in another big night against the Bulls after
scoring 28 points in 22 minutes in a Boston win over Chicago on
Oct. 26. For the night, he knocked down 9 of 17 shots.
Boston also dominated the game inside, scoring 56 points in the
paint.
Caleb Wilson had 23 points for the Bulls, who have lost four
straight games. Norman Powell finished with 16 points and Matas
Buzelis added 14.
Chicago shot just 38% (35 of 92) from the field and 30% (15 of
50) from the 3-point line
Boston beat Chicago by 35 points on Monday, converting 25 Bulls
turnovers into 39 points.
After turning the ball over 25 times in a 35-point loss to
Boston on Monday, Chicago had trouble taking care of the ball
again on Friday, turning it over 16 times leading to 21 Celtics
points.
Up next
Bulls: Visit Philadelphia on Monday.
Celtics: Visit Orlando on Sunday.
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