Jayson Tatum’s triple-double leads Celtics until Bulls blow out

CHICAGO — Several hours before the Celtics’ rematch with the Bulls, Jayson Tatum was confident his knee tendinitis was subsiding and returning to his vintage form after a few days off and a somewhat arduous rehab.

As the Celtics seek redemption after their stunning home loss to the Bulls last Thursday, Tatum delivered a masterful performance Saturday at the United Center. The 3-pointer swished. He attacked the rim at will, and he also filled the roles of distributor and rebounder.

The result was his third triple double of the regular season as he put on a show in the second half, leading the Celtics to a resounding 123-98 victory over the Bulls. Tatum finished with 43 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists, joining Larry Bird as the only Celtics with a 40-point triple double.

“It means everything is a historic franchise,” Tatum said. “I think Larry Bird is probably the best player to wear this uniform, and any time you achieve something in the same set as him, it’s something special.

“Even if you never reach that peak, that’s the guy that’s the standard around here. That’s the person I’m chasing. It means a lot to be in the same sentence as him in certain categories.”

Tatum made nine of his 15 3-pointers and completed his trifecta with a lob pass to Kristaps Porzingis, who scored on a jumper. He was 16 for 24 from the field as the Celtics shot 48.5 percent and bullied the Bulls inside, scoring a season-high 60 points in the paint.

The Bulls entered TD Garden on Thursday and outscored the Celtics by 35 points in the fourth quarter to pull away with a 117-108 victory. The Celtics missed a club-record 42 3-pointers and then picked up three technical fouls in a critical late-game stretch that ruined any chance of a rally.

There was no such drama on Saturday. The Celtics used a 19-8 run in the third quarter, with Tatum scoring 12, as they jumped out to a 93-77 lead heading into the fourth. The Bulls were done.

“I think the one thing we’ve done throughout the year to be a really good team is how we responded,” Tatum said. “This was like a playoff format. I think we were all really excited for the opportunity to respond, and I think we did.”

He added a late-quarter assist to Al Horford and finished the period with 34 points, 14 rebounds and 9 assists. The Celtics pushed aside their usual 3-point emphasis and used ball movement and cutting to score at the rim.

Tatum stunned the crowd with a vicious dunk over a leaping Jalen Smith as the Celtics pulled away.

“Anytime you see a guy play like that, you’re just kind of fascinated by it,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. “But I thought he did it during the game. I don’t think we went beyond what we usually do.

“It’s a testament to him. His shot-making, his decision-making, his ability to rebound is just amazing.”

The lead grew to 25 points in the fourth quarter, with Tatum still one assist away from a triple double. He said there was no lobbying or discussion with Mazzulla to return to the game. Mazzulla installed him at his usual time. This triple double would be acquired naturally.

“I respect the game too much,” he said. “And I feel like if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. I’m not trying to go out there and show anybody up. I try to play the right way and be the best player I can throughout the game.

“You respect the game and it rewards you. I want more triple doubles and more 50-point games the right way.”

The Bulls, one of the league’s more inconsistent teams, had won five of seven games entering Saturday and dominated the Celtics in the previous game. This time, they looked disheveled at times against the Celtics’ aggressive defense, missing a number of dunks, layups and short jumpers.

Zach LaVine, who torched the Celtics for 36 points Thursday, made 14 of 11 shot attempts. Mazzulla’s emphasis was driving the Bulls away from the 3-point line.

Before the match, Mazzulla said his club had achieved three of their four primary goals in the previous meeting on Thursday, but he would not reveal the lone shortfall. But it was clear the Bulls had the Celtics’ attention after their 117-108 win, especially with their physicality.

“We were able to guard the 3-point line a little better,” Mazzulla said. “I thought we had a real intentionality defensively about the tendencies and execution of the game plan.

“I thought Jayson controlled the whole game with his poise and decision making and took what the defense gave him. I still think his greatness is taken for granted. It was a great performance by him.”

Gary Washburn is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him @GwashburnGlobe.