Celtics (50-17) at Bulls (30-37) 3/17

[FLCeltsFan]

  at   

Boston Celtics (50-17) at Chicago Bulls (30-37)
Tuesday, March 17
8:30 PM
Regular Season Game #68, Home Game #35
TV: CSNHD, WGN, NBA LP 752
United Center
 


Coach: Doc Rivers
Average Age: 26.7
Average Height: 6-6
Average Weight: 222

Probable Starters

Rajon Rondo   PPG 11.4 RPG 5.40 APG 8.4 EFF + 18.86
Ray Allen   PPG 18.4 RPG 3.50 APG 2.7 EFF + 17.07
Paul Pierce  PPG 20.2 RPG 5.70 APG 3.7 EFF + 19.01
Leon Powe    PPG 7.6 RPG 4.90 APG 0.6 EFF + 9.36
Kendrick Perkins  PPG 8.4 RPG 8.10 APG 1.2 EFF + 14.16

Reserves
Mikki Moore
Stephon Marbury
Eddie House
Gabe Pruitt
Bill Walker
JR Giddens

Injuries:
Kevin Garnett (knee)  out
Tony Allen (thumb)  out
Brian Scalabrine (head)  out
Glen Davis  (ankle) out
Eddie House (ankle/heel)  probable 




Coach: Vinny Del Negro
Average Age: 26.0
Average Height: 6-7
Average Weight: 219

Probable Starters
     
Derrick Rose   PPG 16.4 RPG 3.70 APG 6.2 EFF + 16.10
Ben Gordon    PPG 20.5 RPG 3.50 APG 3.5 EFF + 16.91
John Salmons   PPG 18.2 RPG 4.40 APG 3.3 EFF + 17.03   
Tyrus Thomas   PPG 10.0 RPG 6.20 APG 1.0 EFF + 12.97
Joakim Noah    PPG 6.1 RPG 7.40 APG 1.2 EFF + 12.80

Reserves
Aaron Gray 
Kirk Hinrich
Tim Thomas
Lindsey Hunter
Anthony Roberson
Linton Johnson

Injuries
Luol Deng (shin) out
Jerome James (Achilles)  out   

Key Matchups
vs
Rajon Rondo  PPG 11.4 RPG 5.40 APG 8.4 EFF + 18.86
Derrick Rose   PPG 16.4 RPG 3.70 APG 6.2 EFF + 16.10
The Bulls' #1 draft pick has been playing very well for them and is near the top of every rookie stat category.  In their first two meetings, they played fairly evenly.  In the first game, Rose had 18 points but just one assist while Rondo had 14 points and 6 assists.  In the second meeting, Rose had 14 points and 5 assists while Rondo scored just 4 points but had 15 assists.  Most importantly, the Celtics won both games. 

vs
Kendrick Perkins   PPG 8.4 RPG 8.10 APG 1.2 EFF + 14.16
Joakim Noah   PPG 6.1 RPG 7.40 APG 1.2 EFF + 12.80
Perk is coming of one of his best games as a Celtic as he set career highs in both points and offensive rebounds.  Perk has a strength advantage over Noah and should be able to use it to keep Noah from getting rebounds and easy baskets in the paint. 

Honorable Mention
Ray Allen   PPG 18.4 RPG 3.50 APG 2.7 EFF + 17.07
Ben Gordon    PPG 20.5 RPG 3.50 APG 3.5 EFF + 16.91
Ray Allen has been struggling with his shot in the past couple of games, hitting just 2-11 against the Bucks.  But, we know that Ray can catch fire very quickly and this would be a good time for that to happen.  Ben Gordon is a threat from beyond the arc and Ray is going to have to defend him well to prevent him from having a big game as well. 

Game Notes 
The Bulls are battling with the Bucks for that 8th place and so will play hard in this game.  The Celtics are just half a game in front of Orlando for the 2nd seed.  They can't come in with no focus or effort as they did with the Bucks or this one could very well be another loss and not only would the Celtics not get home court advantage in the first round, but may lose it for the second round as well.  These games must take on a must win attitude for the Celtics as the other teams that they face have that attitude and with another half hearted effort, they could find themselves slipping to the third seed. 

The Celtics are up 2-0 in the series vs the Bulls this season, having won both games in Boston.  Chicago is playing very well at home and in spite of a 30-37 overall record, they are 20-11 at home.  The Celtics are 23-11 on the road, but have lost 5 of their last 10 games. 

Hopefully with the Celtics wearing their road green St. Patricks Day jerseys, we won't be subject to the travesty of the Bulls wearing those green jerseys that they wore last season. 

X-Factor
Attitude and Focus
Against the Bucks, the Celtics didn't seem to have any sense of urgency and played very sloppy basketball.  They came very close to seeing a new NBA record for most turnovers in a game.  That lack of focus and lack of team play will not win this game, let alone a title.  The Celtics must regain their focus, especially on the defensive end and regain that team first attitude if they expect to win this game and ultimately another title. 

[celticinorlando]

don't want to say thisis a must win...but with orlando hopefully getting beat bu the cavs tuesday..we need this one ot stay ahead of the tragic....one last roadie hopefully without KG..make it count

[chief3233]

I'll be there..Go Green!!!

[ACF]

Once again, a TP for FL.

Let's secure the Atlantic Division crown.

[Drucci]

Once again, a TP for FL.

Let's secure the Atlantic Division crown.

Yeah, and hope that the Magic loose against Cleveland because right now the Celtics have only 2 more wins that the Magic.

The Bulls are a tough team to beat when they are motivated and right now they are fighting for the #8 spot in the East. I hope the Celtics will be motivated and play their A+ game... meaning the whole contrary of what they did on Sunday against Milwaukee.

Go Celtics and TP for FL!

[Donoghus]

I hope this isn't like a few years ago when the Bulls wore green uniforms and I was utterly confused the entire game of who was who. 

[RAcker]

I hope this isn't like a few years ago when the Bulls wore green uniforms and I was utterly confused the entire game of who was who. 

Especially with Mikki and Joakim on the floor together.   

[Cman]

I have a feeling the Cs will come out very strong in this game.  I think they are sick of losing and being second guessed, and are viewing this game as a statement game of sorts.  I expect a 20 point win, with Ray and PP sitting for the last 6 mins or so.

[Celtics1990]

How can the Celtics not win on St. Patty's Day?

[FLCeltsFan]

I just really hope that the Bulls don't wear green.  That would just be wrong. 

[twinbree]

Thanks and TP for the game thread. Go Celtics!
Isn't Brad Miller on the Bulls? I swear I saw him crying on the bench when they lost that OT game in Miami.

[Mr October]

How can the Celtics not win on St. Patty's Day?

Yeah, need a win today. Stop the bleeding. Go Celtics!!

[ACF]

We can never have too many dancing Leprechauns! 

[greenwise]

A win please!!

[Cman]

Pierce has a sore throat?

I hope he will be able to play, and that he is not too sick (and that he doesn't spread the sickness to other team mates).

Seriously, the Cs need a little of that Irish luck...