“We got some decent looks, but we just couldn’t get it done,” Porzingis said. “And if you don’t make them, we don’t lack the energy, but it’s just not the same hype. And honestly, they made some tough shots and made the open shots too.”

The Celtics also recorded the worst field shooting percentage (39.2 percent) in a game this season with 38 of 97 shots on goal.

Meanwhile, Chicago is putting together one of its best defensive performances to date. They had 56 rebounds and forward Zach LaVine led the offense with a season-high 36 points.

“They played physical,” Jaylen Brown said. “They fired shots. They guarded well. If a team scores well and defends well, anything can happen on any given night.”

It’s questionable whether Sam Hauser is playing with lower back spasms.

Here is your preview.

When: Saturday, 8 p.m

Where: United Center, Chicago

TV, radio: NBCSB, WROR-FM (105.7)

Line: Boston -10.5. O/U: 240.5.

Celts

Season balance: 21-6. vs. distribution: 10-17. Over/Under: 12-14, 1 push

Last 10 games: 7-3. vs. distribution: 3-7. Over/Under: 4-6

BULLS

Season balance: 13-15. vs. spread: 14-13, 1 push. Over/Under: 16-12

Last 10 games: 6-4. vs. distribution: 6-3, 1 push. Over/Under: 5-5

TEAM STATISTICS

Points per game: Boston 119.5, Chicago 118.8

Points allowed per game: Boston 110.0, Chicago 121.4

Field goal percentage: Boston .456, Chicago .473

Opponent field goal percentage: Boston .460, Chicago .477

3-point percentage: Boston .367, Chicago .378

Opponent’s 3-point percentage: Boston .350, Chicago .339

Statistics of the day: The win ended the Bulls’ five-game losing streak against the Celtics, which included a 138-129 home loss on November 29th. He also gave the Bulls three consecutive wins for the first time this season.

Notes: LaVine scored five straight points after Boston made a Brown 3-pointer to make it a 99-96 game. Two of those five points came on free throws after Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla and Brown each received a technical foul with 5:12 to play – Mazzulla for entering the court and Brown for asking why his coach called the technical had received. Tatum also received a technical with 3:10 left. . . The Bulls were 19 of 52 from 3-point range. They trailed 57-54 at halftime and 86-82 early in the fourth, but used a 12-0 run to take a 99-90 lead. . . Tatum had 31 points and 10 rebounds, but shot 10 of 22 from the field.

Information from Field Level Media was used in this report.

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Alexa Podalsky can be reached at [email protected].