Boston's starters hold edges at center and in shooting, but Chicago's free-throw volume and rebounding are where Monday night could turn.
After a 38-point debut and a 22-point lead lost in Detroit, Boston faces the champions with four things to fix, from George's defense to Tatum's shot diet.
The Celtics re-signed Payton Pritchard to a two-year, $44.2 million extension that would make him their third-highest-paid player in 2028-29. The yearly salaries are calculated, not announced.
The Celtics went 4-0 with a 222-162 rebounding edge and 20 forced turnovers a game, but the finale showed the ball-security cost.
| Player | GP | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jayson Tatum | 3 | 34.3 | 24.0 | 6.7 | 8.0 | 40.9 |
| Paul George | 3 | 30.0 | 23.0 | 5.7 | 2.3 | 46.0 |
| Payton Pritchard | 3 | 26.7 | 16.3 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 50.0 |
| Derrick White | 3 | 29.0 | 11.3 | 3.7 | 6.0 | 50.0 |
| Sam Hauser | 3 | 20.3 | 9.3 | 3.3 | 1.3 | 52.6 |
| Neemias Queta | 3 | 21.0 | 8.3 | 5.0 | 1.3 | 50.0 |
| Mike Conley | 1 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 100.0 |
| Luka Garza | 3 | 8.3 | 5.3 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 55.6 |
| Mitchell Robinson | 3 | 18.7 | 5.0 | 4.7 | 1.0 | 77.8 |
| Hugo Gonzalez | 3 | 12.7 | 4.3 | 2.7 | 1.0 | 50.0 |
| Baylor Scheierman | 3 | 15.7 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 0.7 | 38.5 |
| Jordan Walsh | 3 | 17.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 33.3 |
| Chris Cenac Jr. | 1 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 50.0 |
| Ron Harper Jr. | 1 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 25.0 |
Three centers, one closing spot. Who finishes games in April?
Paul George replaces Jaylen Brown. How does the roster and cap sheet change?
A 20-year veteran on a minimum deal. What does the second unit gain?
