LaVine and Chicago face Tatum and the Celtics

Updated May. 7, 2021 3:22 a.m. ET

Associated Press

Boston Celtics (35-31, sixth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Chicago Bulls (27-39, 11th in the Eastern Conference)

Chicago; Friday, 7:30 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: Zach LaVine and Jayson Tatum meet when Chicago takes on Boston. LaVine is eighth in the NBA averaging 27.2 points per game and Tatum is 10th in the league averaging 26.5 points per game.

The Bulls are 17-19 in Eastern Conference games. Chicago ranks second in the Eastern Conference with 26.9 assists per game led by LaVine averaging 5.0.

The Celtics are 20-17 against Eastern Conference opponents. Boston scores 113 points and has outscored opponents by 2.1 points per game.

The teams play for the third time this season. The Bulls won the last matchup 102-96 on April 19. Nikola Vucevic scored 29 points to help lead Chicago to the victory.

TOP PERFORMERS: LaVine is averaging 27.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and five assists for the Bulls. Thaddeus Young is shooting 55.8% and averaging 11.9 points over the last 10 games for Chicago.

Tatum is second on the Celtics with 7.4 rebounds and averages 26.5 points. Payton Pritchard is averaging 12.5 points and 2.8 rebounds while shooting 44.7% over the last 10 games for Boston.

LAST 10 GAMES: Bulls: 4-6, averaging 102.9 points, 45.2 rebounds, 28 assists, seven steals and 3.9 blocks per game while shooting 46.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 105 points on 46.7% shooting.

Celtics: 5-5, averaging 115.1 points, 46.2 rebounds, 23.3 assists, 7.9 steals and 5.2 blocks per game while shooting 45.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 113.1 points on 46.5% shooting.

INJURIES: Bulls: Troy Brown Jr.: out (ankle).

Celtics: Tristan Thompson: day to day (pectoral), Jaylen Brown: out (ankle), Romeo Langford: day to day (concussion), Robert Williams III: day to day (foot).

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