Boston Celtics vs Chicago Bulls Box Score on Dec 11, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Dec 11, 2017

CHICAGO -- Nikola Mirotic scored 24 points in his first start of the season, and Bobby Portis scored 23 as the Chicago Bulls won their third consecutive game, beating the Boston Celtics 108-85 on Monday.

David Nwaba finished with 13 points for Chicago, which has not lost since snapping a 10-game losing streak on Friday with an overtime victory over the Charlotte Hornets. Kris Dunn added 12 points for the Bulls (6-20).

The Celtics played without Kyrie Irving, who sat out due to a left quadriceps contusion. Al Horford scored 15 points, and Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier each contributed 13 points for Boston, which was coming off a win at Detroit on Sunday. Aron Baynes finished with 10 points for the Celtics (23-6).

Mirotic started in the place of Bulls rookie Lauri Markkanen, who missed the game because of back spasms.

Mirotic made his season debut on Friday after sitting out 23 games with facial fractures and a concussion sustained in a fight with Portis in practice in October. On Monday, Mirotic hit 9 of 14 field-goal attempts and was 3 of 7 from 3-point range. Portis hit all three of his 3-point attempts.

The Bulls took control in the second quarter when they used a 24-2 scoring spurt to turn a four-point deficit into an 18-point lead. Chicago led 56-42 at halftime and never allowed the lead to drop under double digits during the second half.

NOTES: G Kyrie Irving scored 16 points in Boston's victory over Detroit on Sunday, but he took a knee to his quad in that game and experienced discomfort on Monday morning. ... Celtics F Marcus Morris missed his second straight game with a left knee injury. Coach Brad Stevens said the injury would be re-evaluated on Tuesday in Boston. ... Celtics F Al Horford, who had a knee-to-knee collision with another player Sunday, started Monday despite being classified as questionable. ... Bulls F Lauri Markkanen experienced some back issues over the summer and underwent treatment for tightness in his back after the shootaround Monday. Coach Fred Hoiberg said he hopes to get Markkanen back in the lineup soon.