The Celtics secured a 124-113 victory against the Chicago Bulls on Saturday at the United Center, maintaining a 66-60 lead at halftime and ultimately clinching the win. Jayson Tatum spearheaded the charge with 26 points, shooting 8 for 20, while Al Horford and Sam Hauser each contributed 23 points. Hauser’s impressive performance included a remarkable 7 for 8 from three-point range. Derrick White and Payton Pritchard chipped in with 17 and 15 points, respectively.

Boston showcased strong shooting, hitting 51.2 percent from the field and 43.8 percent from beyond the arc, while also dominating the boards with a 41-29 advantage, including 12 оffеnꜱιυе rebounds. Despite committing 12 turnovers, the Celtics demonstrated resilience to secure the victory.

Meanwhile, the Hawks dominated the Charlotte Hornets with a resounding 132-91 win at State Farm Arena, leading 66-48 at halftime and extending their lead throughout the game. Dejounte Murray led the charge with 28 points and 12 assists, shooting an impressive 10 for 14, including 7 for 9 from three-point range. Clint Capela contributed a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Bogdan Bogdanovic and De’Andre Hunter added 12 and 11 points, respectively. Notably, the Hawks received a significant boost from their bench, with Garrison Matthews scoring 20 points and Bruno Fernando adding 25.

Atlanta showcased stellar shooting, hitting 55.6 percent from the field and 47.6 percent from beyond the arc, while also dominating the boards with a 43-39 advantage. With nine steals and five blocked shots, the Hawks forced 13 turnovers to secure the convincing win. In the all-time head-to-head series, the Celtics hold a commanding 244-147 lead, having won their last seven games and boasting a 7-3 record in their last ten matchups. They previously defeated the Hawks 125-117 and 113-103, both at the TD Garden.

This matchup could serve as a glimpse into the potential first-round series of the Eastern Conference Playoffs. Although the Celtics have emerged victorious in both previous encounters, their wins were not dominant. Additionally, the Celtics might opt to rest their key players due to injuries or enforce limited playing time, which could provide an opportunity for the Hawks to seize a victory. While it’s uncertain whether the Hawks will capitalize on this chance, they do possess a credible chance to exceed expectations and narrow the point spread, particularly while playing on their home court.