Tip: 8PM Court: United Center Watch it: CSNNE Hear it: 98.5 The Sports Hub
Referees: Jason Philips, Matt Boland, Mark Lindsay
Line: Bos: +10.0
The Matchup
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| Record: 11-19 | Record: 23-10 |
| On road: 3-9 | At home: 9-6 |
| Streak: Lost 1 | Streak: Won 1 |
| Leaders | Leaders |
| Buckets: Green (18.5 ppg) | Buckets: Jimmy Butler (21.9 ppg) |
| Boards: Sullinger (7.9 rpg) | Boards: Pau Gasol (11.0 rpg) |
| Dimes: Nelson (5.5 apg) | Dimes: Derrick Rose (5.0 apg) |
| For the Stat Geeks: | For the Stat Geeks: |
| Offensive Rating: 102.1 (19th NBA) | Offensive Rating: 106.2 (7th NBA) |
| Defensive Rating: 102.9 (13th NBA) | Defensive Rating: 101.5 (10th NBA) |
| Pace: 100.1 (2nd NBA) | Pace: 95.9 (17th NBA) |
Last time
In their last meeting, the Bulls with a healthy Derrick Rose got by Boston 109-102. Butler lead the team in scoring with 22 points, Derrick Rose had 14 of his 21 points in the second half, and Noah had a great all-around game posting 15 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists, and 6 blocks. For Boston Jared Sullinger was the top performer with 23 points and 10 rebounds, and our old friend Rajon Rondo had a near triple-double with 8 points, 7 rebounds, and nine assists. The teams this season are tied 1-1 in head to head matchups.
This time
Get it to: Kelly Olynyk
A good Kelly Olynyk is a fun Celtics team. The big is the most skilled big on the team, and the best shooter so when his playing well it usually rubs on the rest of the team. Getting Olynyk involved early and often will be good in pushing the pace, and forcing the Bulls bigs to spread out.
Gotta stop: Chicago’s Frontcourt
Last night Boston was abused on the boards 52-38 including a painful 16-9 deficit on the offensive glass. They will be catching no breaks tonight against the combo of Noah/Gasol/Gibson. Celtics will need to emphasis team rebounding and with no Jimmy Butler, Doug McDermott, or Mike Dunleavy, the Bulls will be looking to win the paint match-up.
The Wild Card: Marcus Smart
This is Marcus Smart’s first match-up against the Bulls, in the past two match-ups the Celtics have had a lot trouble containing guard Aaron Brooks who has lit the Celtics up in both match-ups. Smart will most likely have the task of stopping him, and if he can with an already depleted Bulls team the Celtics will have a great chance of wining this game.
How we see it goin’ down
On paper this looks like a game that the Celtics should be able to win. However, one thing we know is this Celtics team is not is consistent, partly because of the youth, and also because of the lack of having a set lineup that they will go to every night. It would be delightful to see the Celtics push the pace, have balance scoring, and win this game convincingly. But the Bulls are a deep team, and are at home so I believe they squeak by the Celtics again.
Celtics 105
Bulls 111
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