With Irving sidelined, Bulls blow out Celtics

CHICAGO — Nikola Mirotic scored 24 points, Bobby Portis added a career-high 23, and the Chicago Bulls blew out Boston 108-85 on Monday night with Celtics star Kyrie Irving sidelined because of a bruised left quadriceps.

Owners of the NBA’s worst record, the Bulls built an 18-point lead in the second quarter against the Eastern Conference leaders. And when Boston cut it to 12 in the fourth, the Bulls simply pulled away for their third straight win.

Mirotic made his first start of the season with leading scorer Lauri Markkanen sidelined because of back spasms. The 6-foot-10 forward hit 9-of-14 shots and grabbed eight rebounds in his third appearance.

Portis shot 10-of-15 and nailed all three 3-pointers.

Before Monday night, Mirotic and Portis had only made headlines together this season for the wrong reasons. Mirotic missed the first 23 games with facial fractures he suffered in a fight at practice with Portis.

Al Horford scored 15 for Boston. Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier added 13 points apiece in the Celtics’ most lopsided loss of the season.

HORNETS 116, THUNDER 103

Dwight Howard scored 23 points to help visiting Charlotte top Oklahoma City.

Kemba Walker had 19 points for Charlotte, which had lost seven of eight. It was Charlotte’s second road win of the season in 12 tries.

WARRIORS 111, BLAZERS 104

Kevin Durant scored 28 points to go with nine rebounds and five assists to help Golden State hold off visiting Portland.

CLIPPERS 96, RAPTORS 91

Jonas Valanciunas scored 23 points as Los Angeles edged visiting Toronto.

HEAT 107, GRIZZLIES 82

Goran Dragic scored 19 points, and Miami pulled away from host Memphis.

LEONARD DEBUT EXPECTED

San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard is expected to make his season debut Tuesday when the Spurs visit Dallas.

Leonard has missed all 27 of the Spurs’ games this season while recovering from right quadriceps tendinopathy, a condition that causes pain and weakness in the knee.

BARNES RETIRES

Matt Barnes is retiring from the NBA after playing for nine teams over 14 years and winning a championship with Golden State last season.

The 37-year-old small forward hasn’t played this season. He posted his retirement announcement on Instagram on Monday.