Jimmy Butler had 30 points and nine rebounds as the Chicago Bulls outlasted Boston 106-102 in the first game of their NBA playoff series on Sunday on an emotional night for grieving Celtics star Isaiah Thomas.
Playing a day after 22-year-old sister Chyna Thomas was killed in a car accident in their home state of Washington, Thomas led the top-seeded Celtics with 33 points.
Celtics fans rallied behind Thomas, showering him with a deafening cheer when he was introduced.
Bobby Portis finished with 19 for the Bulls while Al Horford had 19 points, eight assists and seven rebounds for Boston.
Game two of the series is on Tuesday night in Boston.
Earlier, Kevin Durant has led Golden State to a 121-109 win over Portland in the opening game of their playoff series.
Game two is Wednesday night at Oracle Arena.
In Washington, the Wizards beat Atlanta 114-107 thanks to a playoff career-high 32 points from John Wall.
He scored 15 points in the third quarter and finished with 14 assists ahead of game two in Washington on Wednesday.
And in Houston, James Harden scored 37 points to outshine MVP rival Russell Westbrook as Houston pulled away in the third quarter to rout Oklahoma City 118-87 in game one.
The Rockets were up by 20 when Harden came off the bench with about seven minutes remaining.
Westbrook had 22 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, but made just six of 23 shots and had nine turnovers.
Harden also had nine assists and seven rebounds, and Patrick Beverley had a playoff career-best 21 points along with 10 rebounds for the Rockets.
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