How we see it goin’ down: Celtics – Bulls

Tip: 8:00 PM     Court: United Center    Watch it: CSN  Hear it: WEEI

Referees:  Joe Crawford, Mark Lindsey, Zach Zarba

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The Matchup

Record: 3-3	Record: 4-2
On Road: 2-1	At Home: 3-2
Streak: Won 1	Streak: Won 1
Leaders	Leaders
Buckets: Pierce (20.8 ppg)	Buckets: Luol Deng (17.7 ppg)
Boards: Garnett (8.7 rpg)	Boards: Joakhim Noah (9.2 rpg)
Dimes: Rondo (13.3 apg)	Dimes: Kirk Hinrich (5.0 apg)
For the Stat Geeks:	For the Stat Geeks:
Offensive Rating: 101.1 (19th NBA)	Offensive Rating:  102.4 (13th NBA)
Defensive Rating: 104.1 (22nd NBA)	Defensive Rating: 96.1 (2nd NBA)
Pace: 93.9 (10th NBA)	Pace: 92.3 (19th NBA)

Last time

The Celtics lost 3-of-4 to the Bulls last season. The Celtics have lost 5 straight at the United Center.

This time

Get it to: Rajon Rondo

With Kirk Hinrich out with a strained hip, Chicago will start Nate Robinson at point guard. Yes, that Nate Robinson. Synergy graded Robinson as the worst player in the league with at least 300 plays defended (via ESPN Insider).

Gotta stop:  Carlos Boozer

Boozer may be Chicago’s favorite whipping boy, but he plays well against the Celtics (17 ppg, 58% FG, 11 rpg last season). The guy kills the mid-range jumper and is smooth with both hands around the basket.

The Wild Cards: Rebounding

Led by Joakim Noah, Boozer and Taj Gibson, the Bulls ranked #1 in defensive and offensive rebounding last season. Brace yourself for many frustrating possessions where the Celtics get the intial stop, but concede the second chance points.

How we see it goin’ down

With Derrick Rose rehabbing a torn ACL and Hinrich nursing a strained hip, the Bulls backcourt is weak. Nate Robinson and Richard Hamilton aren’t stopping anyone. Rondo, Jason Terry and Courtney Lee must capitalize on the mismatches.

Chicago gets the advantage in the frontcourt. Noah and Boozer are tough matchups. The Celtics need Paul Pierce to crash the boards and minimize damage.

The Celtics have a big advantage on the bench. The Bulls second unit is razor thin – Gibson and Marco Belinelli are the only offensive threats. If Jeff Green shows up, the Celtics should win.

BOS 95

CHI 91