Bulls (16-20) at Celtics (27-10) 1/14

[FLCeltsFan]

at
Chicago Bulls  (16-20) at Boston Celtics (27-10)
Thursday, January 14 
8:00 PM ET
Game #38, Home Game #17
TV: TNT
Radio: WEEI, WMVP
TD Garden 


Probable Starting Matchups
Point Guard
vs
Rajon Rondo  vs  Derrick Rose

Shooting Guard
  vs 
Ray Allen vs Kirk Hinrich 

Small Forward
vs 
Paul Pierce vs Luol Deng

Power Forward
  vs 
Brian Scalabrine vs Taj Gibson

Center
vs 
Kendrick Perkins vs Joakim Noah 

 
Coach: Doc Rivers
Average Age: 27.8
Average Height: 6-6
Average Weight: 224

Reserves
Eddie House
Shelden Williams
Big Baby Davis
JR Giddens
Tony Allen
Bill Walker

Injuries
Marquis Daniels (thumb)  out
Kevin Garnett (knee)  out
Rasheed Wallace (foot)  day to day




Coach: Vinny Del Negro
Average Age: 27.1
Average Height: 6-7
Average Weight: 225

Reserves
Lindsey Hunter 
James Johnson
Jannero Pargo
Aaron Gray
Brad Miller
Tyrus Thomas
John Salmons

Injuries
Jerome James (achilles)  out
Taj Gibson (plantar fasciitis) expected to play 

Key Matchups 
vs
Rajon Rondo vs Derrick Rose
It is personal between these two point guards ever since they faced each other in the opening round of the playoffs last season.  Rondo has clearly had the edge in their matchups so far.  Derrick Rose has been playing very well and Rondo has been playing big minutes because of all the injuries on the Celtics.   This should be a fun matchup to watch once again. 

vs
In the past, Deng has defended Pierce as well as anyone in the league,
but in their last meeting, Pierce seemed to have found the secret to beating Deng's defense as he scored 22 points to just 4 for Deng.  The Celtics will need Pierce's scoring in this game  and hopefully he will once again be able to get past Deng's defense. 


Honorable Mention
vs 
Kendrick Perkins vs Joakim Noah
There seems to be no love lost between these two centers.  Noah has to be one of the most irritating players in the league and he tends to get under his defenders' skin.  Noah plays hard and will be a tough matchup for Perk.  Hopefully Perk will be able to keep his cool and avoid getting technicals in this one.     

Team Connections
Celtics Assistant Coach Clifford Ray played for the Bulls from 1971-7
Paul Pierce and Kirk Hinrich are former Kansas Jayhawks
Tyrus Thomas and Glen Davis were teammates at Louisiana State
Taj Gibson and Brian Scalabrine are former USC Trojans
Lindsey Hunter and Rasheed Wallace were teammates with the Detroit Pistons from 2003-08
Brad Miller and John Salmons were teammates with Shelden
Williams in Sacramento during the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons.

Game Notes
• The C’s are currently leading the season series 2-0; the Celtics won the season series 2-1 against Chicago in 2008-09
• Eddie House is currently leading the C’s with an average of 18.5 points per game against the Bulls this season
• Derrick Rose is leading the Bulls with an average of 14.5 points per game against the C’s this year
• It marked the second straight season that the C’s had won the season series and the first time since the 85-86 and 86-87 seasons that they had
done so
• The Celtics are leading the all-time series 109-84 with the Celtics 61-31 at home

It's the Bulls again.  This Bulls team has a chip on their shoulder and would love nothing more than to beat the Celtics.  This is their 3rd meeting this season with the Celtics winning the first two easily.   The Celtics are still short handed and the Bulls would love to beat them even if they aren't at full strength.   

The Celtics are playing in yet another back to back situation while the Bulls have been off since Monday.   At least the Celtics had an easy time with the Nets with the starters able to sit out the 4th quarter and with no starter playing more than 30 minutes. 

Keys to the Game
Defense - Defense is the key to every game this season.   The Celtics need to guard the perimeter as well as the interior because the Bulls have outside scorers as well as guys who can take it to the basket. 

Rebound - The Celtics need to put out the effort to go after rebounds on both ends.  When the Celtics get the offensive rebounds, it not only gives them second chance baskets, but it also prevents the Bulls from getting out on the break and the Celtics need to grab the defensive rebounds to prevent the Bulls from getting second chance points. 

Keep Cool -   This could be a physical game and both teams have  some very combustible players.   They need to keep their cool and not let the Bulls goad them into technical fouls. 

Take Care of the Ball The Celtics have been turning the ball over way too much and must focus on taking better care of the ball and making their possessions count instead of turning the ball over. 

Fast Start It is important for the Celtics to get out to a fast start and take the Bulls out of their game early.  If they allow the Bulls to hang around they could steal this one at the end. 

X Factor
Fatigue
The Celtics are playing in the 4th game in 5 days.  The starters have had to log big minutes because of the injuries and Doc's refusal to play the young guys on the bench.   At least the starters got somewhat of a rest vs the Nets in the first half of this back to back set. But still, 4 games in 5 days with travel after each will tire a team out.   If the Celtics allow the Bulls to run, they could very well run out of gas before the end of the game.  [/center]

[Bahku]

Thanks, FL ... another fantastic set-up. I hope people realize the amount of work you put into these, and that it's not only a great preview, but the ultimate source for comparisons and information about upcoming contests. I used to go to the C's site for such stuff, but your set-ups are far more complete and ten times as enjoyable. Thanks so much ... again! (TP as always)

[makaveli]

Taj Gibson ain't got nothing on Scal
This will be a fine game to watch...GO CELTICS

[UGotRondod]

The Celtics Chair looks comfy!  Nice job FL.  TP for you.

Looking forward to this game.  Should be VERY physical, as usual between these teams.

Can't wait to see Brad Miller's exasperated expression when he gets called for absolute hacks.

Wonder how many flagrant fouls will be called tonight...

[UGotRondod]

Interesting that E House has highest PPG vs CHI this year.  Wonder why that is?  Poor perimeter defense by second unit, or Eddie just has their number.  Will be interesting to watch him tonight to see if he keeps it up against them.

[lon3lytoaster]

Rondo owns the Bulls and Derrick Rose. I expect him to go out there and make an alstar statement tonight.

Rondo for 40 points, 16 dimes.. Celtics by 18

[Drucci]

I won't have the chance to watch the game live tonight, and I'm hoping to catch a replay tomorrow since it's "blackout" on the League Pass...

Anyway, it should be an easy win. However, it is also likely to look like the Celtics/Bulls games of last playoffs since this time we're missing KG and Sheed (and Marquis of course).

Basically, we will have the same roster than in last playoffs, minus Marbury and Moore and plus Shelden. The Bulls will have Tyrus Thomas back (he wasn't there in the two first meetings this season if I recall correctly).

Ben Gordon's absence will still hurt them, but I wouldn't be surprised to see a tight, close game between them and us, because they will be extra motivated to win the game while we may struggle on a back to back (although we got a lot of rest last night).

Anyway, promising game. TP FL and let's go C's!

[RAcker]

I agree with those that say Rondo is the X Factor in this game.  With KG and Sheed down I expect to see even more driving to the hoop and our success will depend on his effectiveness against Rose. 

[jadams5214]

Celtics vs. Bulls should be an entertaining game tonight.  The Bulls have been playing better of late but are still a below average team that is 4 games under .500 and one of the NBA's worst road teams.

Celtics normally have no problem getting motivated for the young, athletic Bulls.  The C's are playing once again on back to back nights but at least they are at home.  The starters didn't overexert themselves last night and the teams also has 3 days off after this game.

The Celtics need to get their swagger back at home which has been shaky this year.  They have lost almost as many home games already this year as they did all of last year. 

Tonight's game against a below average team should provide a remedy to the recent home court struggles.  Also a good win heading into the break with Dallas on the horizon. 

Go Celtics...

[Donoghus]

I really hate the Bulls. 

That's really all I have to say. 

[Bahku]

I really hate the Bulls. 

That's really all I have to say. 

That's all that's needed, Don ... ditto. (TP)

Go Celtics!

[Kiorrik]

Hm, isn't the game supposed to start like, 14 minutes ago?

[Kiorrik]

And... what? Blacked out on ILP? NO! That can't be true

[Who]

I'm expecting this to be one of those games where the Celtics build a large lead quickly.

[BASS_THUMPER]

rite on time baby!!!!