Monroe sparks Celtics to victory
Boston — Greg Monroe came off the bench and had 19 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, and the Boston Celtics defeated the Chicago Bulls 111-104 on Friday night.
It is Monroe's second career triple-double. Jaylen Brown finished with a career-high 32 points and four rebounds.
With Al Horford and Jayson Tatum given the night off to rest, Boston went deep into its bench against a Chicago team that's one of the worst in the NBA.
Chicago led by as many as 11 in the first half before Boston trimmed it to 58-55 at the half. But the Celtics outscored the Bulls 56-46 over the final two quarters.
Sean Kilpatrick led the Bulls with 24 points. Lauri Markkanen added 20 points and five rebounds.
Marcus Morris and Bobby Portis were both ejected late in the third quarter after receiving back-to-back double-technical fouls.
It was Boston's first game since Kyrie Irving was
ruled out for the remainder of the regular season and playoffs because of an upcoming surgery on his left knee.
Notes
Celtics: Monroe is the first Celtics center to record a triple-double since Robert Parish did it on March 29, 1987 . ... Jabari Bird made his first career 3-pointer in the first quarter. In his first nine career NBA games he had just five points on 1-of-4 shooting.
In the first 8 minutes on Friday he scored 11 points, connecting on 5 of his first 8 field goals . ... Jonathan Gibson, who the Celtics signed via an injury hardship waiver earlier in the day, had nine points.
Getting rest
Coach Brad Stevens said the plan over Boston's final three regular-season games is give other players rest as well before the start of the playoffs.
"I'd like to get one, possibly two games with our group as is to play before we head in," Stevens said. "We'll manage that as we move forward. Knock on wood."
Up next
Bulls: Host Nets today. Celtics: Host Hawks on Sunday.