The Bulls ran their improbable regular-season win streak on TNT to 17 games by downing the Celtics 104-103.
Jimmy Butler drew a questionable foul call on Marcus Smart with 0.9 seconds left and sank both free throws for the victory. Butler finished with 29 points and seven assists.
Bobby Portis added a season-high 19 points for the Bulls, who are a game out of sixth place in the East.
Isaiah Thomas scored 11 straight points down the stretch to finish with 29, his 41st game with 20 or more points. That’s a franchise record.
Dwyane Wade didn’t attend the Bulls’ morning shootaround Thursday because of illness. Wade also has missed the past two games with a right wrist contusion.
Coach Fred Hoiberg said Nikola Mirotic is available after missing two games with back spasms. But Mirotic, who has been on the trade block for weeks, didn’t play in the first half as Portis got rolling.
Paul Zipser remains out with left ankle tendinitis.
The Celtics are without Avery Bradley and Jaylen Brown.
Starting lineups
Bulls: Jerian Grant, Michael Carter-Williams, Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson, Robin Lopez
Celtics: Isaiah Thomas, Marcus Smart, Jae Crowder, Amir Johnson, Al Horford
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