The margin for error between the eastern conference playoff contenders has been paper-thin through just over 20 games. Wednesday's 105-100 win by the Celtics over a very solid Chicago team put that parity on full display.
Early in the fourth quarter the game had featured 13 ties and 10 lead changes, the last of which the C's would hold onto by the grit of their teeth to close out the game after a 12-2 run.
That change of fortunes was led by Isaiah Thomas, who turned up the jets after a scoreless first half. He dropped nine of his 20 points in the final three minutes, but Jimmy Butler's determination kept the game close until the final seconds.