ISAIAH Thomas sparked an early surge then watched the Celtics finish off the Chicago Bulls, 100-80, on Sunday in Boston (Monday, Manila time).
The Celtics scored the game's first 13 points and were never threatened, bouncing back from a loss to the Denver Nuggets, notching only their second win in the last five games.
Thomas scored 22 points in 24 minutes and sat out the fourth quarter, with Boston leading by 19.
Avery Bradley came up with 17 points on 7 of 16 shooting, while Al Horford went 5 for 7 and finished with 12 points.
Three Celtics reserves scored in double figures, with Marcus Smart delivering 12 points, and Jaylen Brown and Kelly Olynyk chipping in with 11 apiece.
The Bulls suffered their fifth straight loss.
Robin Lopez scored 13, while Bobby Portis had 12 points for Chicago, which absorbed its 35th loss in 66 games.
Jimmy Butler went 2 for 11 and finished with 5 points, while Dwyane Wade shot 4 for 11 and wound up with eight points.