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Boston Celtics (19-16) at Chicago Bulls (21-12)
Thursday, January 7, 2016
8:00 PM ET
Game #36, Road Game #17
TV: TNT, CSN-CHI, Sportsnet One
Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, ESPN 1000AM
United Center
Probable Starters 
PG:Isaiah Thomas ...............................................SG Evan Turner
C: Kelly Olynyk
SF: Jae Crowder ................................. ............PF Amir Johnson
Celtics ReservesMarcus Smart
Jonas Jerebko
Terry Rozier
James Young
Jared Sullinger
Jordan Mickey
Tyler Zeller
David Lee
RJ Hunter
InjuriesAvery Bradley (hip) out
Head CoachBrad Stevens
Probable Starters 
PG: Derrick Rose ............................................. SG: Jimmy Butler
C: Paul Gasol
SF: Taj Gibson ............................................. PF: Nikola Mirotic
Bulls ReservesDoug McDermott
Kirk Hinrich
Tony Snell
E'Twaun Moore
Cameron Bairstow
Aaron Brooks
Bobby Portis
Christiano Felicio
Head Coach Fred Hoiberg
Injuries Mike Dunleavy (back) out
Joakim Noah (shoulder) out
Game Notes The Celtics are on the road to face the Chicago Bulls in the second of back to back games. The Celtics lead the series 1-0 after a 105-100 win in the TD Garden on December 9. Chicago won the series 3-1 last season With the Celtics only win at Chicago on November 8.
The Celtics have played well on the road with a 10-6 record away from TD Garden. The Bulls have played well at home with a 15-5 home record. The Celtics are 5-2 on the second night of back to back games this season and are 10-1 in their last 11 back to back games on the road.
The Celtics are coming off a tough loss to the Pistons where they led for most of the game and then couldn't hit a shot in the 4th quarter. They need to regroup and get back on track with this game. Avery Bradley will travel with the team but is not expected to play in this game. For the Bulls, Mike Dunleavy is out with a back injury and Joakim Noah is out with a shoulder injury.
Key Matchups vs
Evan Turner vs Jimmy Butler
Butler has surpassed Rose as the star of this team. He is averaging 22.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.82 steals. If Evan struggles to defend Butler, expect to see Marcus Smart on him early.
vs
Kelly Olynyk vs Pau Gasol
Gasol is having a good season and has had some big games. He is averaging 16.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and 2.31 blocks. Hopefully Kelly can keep him out of the paint where he can be dangerous.
Honorable Mention Isaiah Thomas vs Derrick Rose
Rose isn't exactly the player he was before the knee injuries interrupted his career, but he is still a very good player and very dangerous if you don't defend him well. He is averaging 14.4 points, 5.1 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game.
Keys to the Game Defense - The Celtics are a very good defensive team and so are the Bulls. The Celtics are allowing just 99.0 points per game. The Bulls are allowing only one more point per game at 100.0 This should be a defensive battle.
Rebound - The Celtics can't score if they don't have the ball. Rebounding will be tough against Chicago's big front line, but much of rebounding is effort and desire and so the Celtics must put out the extra effort on the boards to give themselves extra possessions as well as to limit the Bulls fast break opportunities and second chance points. The Bulls are a good rebounding team, pulling down 48.8 per game while the Celtics are averaging 44.8 rebounds per game.
Run and Move the Ball - The Celtics play best when they run on every possession and run back on defense to get set before the Bulls can get into their offense. They also need to move the ball because when the ball sticks too much with one player then the offense gets stagnant. They lose when their assist totals drop into the teens. The Celtics led most of the game vs the Pistons but in the 4th quarter they stopped moving the ball and their offense became stagnant.
Be Aggressive - The Celtics must be aggressive on both ends of the court. They have to be the more aggressive team going for loose balls, on defense, on the boards, and in going to the hoop. In their wins, the Celtics have been aggressive but in their losses they mostly seem sluggish. They have to play like they want it more for 48 minutes and not just 3 quarters.
Don't Love the 3 - The Celtics need to take the ball to the hoop. The Celtics shot 3-22 from beyond the arc against the Pistons on Wednesday night. When the 3's don't fall (which is most of the time) go to the hoop. They beat the Nets in the last game by going to the basket. They need to go to the hoop and not continue to throw 3 point bricks.
X-FactorsBack to Back on the Road - The Celtics have been a very good road team and they have been phenomenal in the second of back to back games on the road. Hopefully those trends continue in this one.
Officials - Officiating can always be an x-factor. At times they call the game even and let them play. Other times they call the game one sided or call every little touch foul and that takes all of the flow out of the game. Every crew has it's own identity and that can change the flow and outcome of the game.
Topic: Celtics (19-16) at Bulls (21-12) Game #36 1/7/16 (Read 43492 times)