Boston Celtics grind out a gritty win against the Chicago Bulls, propelled by Anfernee Simons’ scorching second-half shooting and Payton Pritchard’s clutch buzzer beater. Can the Celtics’ relentless rebounding and defensive identity sustain their surprising climb in the Eastern Conference standings? John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal breaks down how the Celtics overcame cold shooting nights from stars like Jaylen Brown by capitalizing on second-chance points and forcing turnovers. Insights include Neemias Queta’s impact on the boards, the evolution of Simons’ rebounding game, and Joe Mazzulla’s emphasis on effort over aesthetics. Plus, the episode explores Boston’s unexpected rise to the second seed, the implications for their playoff seeding, and whether their developing bench can keep delivering. Are the Celtics ready to make a real push for the top spot?

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