National Basketball Association roundup: Bulls seize 2-0 lead over Celtics

Rajon Rondo (9) is guarded by Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas (4) during the third quarter in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden.

The Bulls were plus-17 in total rebounds, including a 20-12 edge in offensive boards that lead to 23 second-chance points.

Rajon Rondo helped the Chicago Bulls thrash the Boston Celtics 111-97 in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals Tuesday night, and he also delivered a dose of reality to the home team in the midst of the blowout. When CelticsBlog asked Stevens if he felt the team was rushed by the Bulls flying around, he admitted it got to his team. They shot 47 percent on all other shots. But he's never been one to achieve normal very often. "He's playing with a lot of leadership out there", said Boston's Jae Crowder. As Bradley told reporters following the game, they can't continue this series with their heads down.

Dwyane Wade put it best: A Game 1 victory doesn't matter as much without another solid performance in Game 2. This was the Rondo that Celtics fans saw in the team's biggest playoff moments from 2008-2013.

In the only Western Conference game on Tuesday, the Los Angeles Clippers leveled their series against the Utah Jazz at 1-1, leading wire-to-wire in a 99-91 triumph.

Nikola Mirotic was better, but for a while. Horford's a versatile offensive player, but he's yet to really utilize his skill set in this series. I was a little more aggressive offensively. Even the Chicago Bulls benched him earlier this season, taking him out of the rotation in favor of guys like Jerian Grant and Michael Carter-Williams.

Gordon Hayward led the Jazz with 20 points. He's strong enough to attack the basket, and he can hit the open shot. After going down 0-2, the clock is ticking louder than ever on this up and coming team. Chicago came out and got down 7-0 early but they stayed calm, fought back and ended up getting a lead at the end of the first.

The Bulls, 41-41 in the regular season, are attempting to become the sixth No. 8 seed to upset a No. 1 in the first round - and the first since the Philadelphia 76ers upset Chicago in the 2012 playoffs.

The playoffs are driven by star players, but they can't do it on their own. Butler and Wade both took control and stomped on the Celtics' throats.

Asked about his old playoff meetings with Rondo, Bulls teammate Dwyane Wade interjected, "Hated him". "He's been good for the chemistry of our team". "Definitely Game 3 is just one game, but its going to be the biggest game of our season and we want to approach it with that mindset and try to go out there and get another W. Its one game at a time, one possession at a time".