Celtics Looking to Make Bulls Next Victim
by FLCeltsFan on Dec 19, 2008 3:30 PM EST
in Boston Celtics Games
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PrintChicago Bulls at Boston Celtics, Dec 19, 2008 7:30 PM EST
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Chicago Bulls (12-13) at Boston Celtics (24-2)
Friday, December 19
7:30 PM
Regular Season Game #27, Home Game #16
TV: CSNHD, CSN Chicago, NBA LP 754
Radio: WEEI
TD Banknorth Garden
Game Thread l Chat
Bulls Blogs: Blog a Bull l Bulls Extra
The Celtics are going for their 17th consecutive win. The players are saying that they aren't interested in numbers, streaks or any of that kind of thing, but it has to be in the back of their minds. This team has already recorded the best start in franchise history and they are approaching the league record for wins to start the season against 2 losses. At 24-2 the Celtics just passed the '95-'96 Bulls who started 23-2 and are approaching the '69-'70 Knicks and the '66-'67 76ers who both started the season 26-2. All 3 of those teams went on to win the championship in those years.
This is the second meeting between these two teams this season. In their first meeting, the Celtics came away with a 96-80 victory. This game has all the signs of being a trap game. The Bulls are 3-10 on the road and 5-5 in their last 10 games. They are coming off a win over the Clippers. The Celtics swept the series between these two teams last season. The Celtics are coming off a tough game with a playoff like atmosphere against the Hawks and it would be easy to overlook the Bulls. But that would be a mistake.
Derrick Rose is proving very capable at the point for the Bulls and Rondo can expect another tough matchup in this game. Rose is averaging 17.6 points, 6.4 assists 3.8 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game and has scored in double figures in all but 2 games this season. Over the last 5 games Ben Gordon has been shooting over 40% from beyond the arc and Drew Gooden is averaging a double double with 15.6 points and 10.8 rebounds. Luol Deng plays Paul Pierce about as well as anyone in the league because of his length. The Celtics should not take this team for granted.
Probable Starting Matchups
PG: Rajon Rondo vs Derrick Rose
SG: Ray Allen vs Ben Gordon
SF: Paul Pierce vs Luol Deng
PF: Kevin Garnett vs Drew Gooden
C: Kendrick Perkins vs Aaron Gray
Injuries 
Paul Pierce (knee) probable 
Derrick Rose (elbow) probable
Michael Ruffin (ankle) out
Kirk Hinrich (ulnar cruciate ligament) out
Tyrus Thomas (concussion) day to day
Matchups to Watch 
vs
Rajon Rondo 11 PPG 7.3 APG 2.3 SPG
Derrick Rose 17.6 PPG 6.4 APG 1 SPG
The Bulls' #1 draft pick has been playing very well for them and is near the top of every rookie stat category. Rondo has out played Deron Williams and Mike Bibby in his last two games and now gets the chance to shut down the top pick in the draft. It will be important for Rondo to stay aggressive on both ends of the court. 
vs
Paul Pierce 18.6 PPG 6 RPG 3.6 APG
Luol Deng 13.9 PPG 4.9 RPG 1.7APG
This has always been a tough matchup for Pierce. If his knee isn't 100% then it may be even tougher.
Honorable Mention
Ray Allen 18.5 PPG 2.5 APG .380 3P%
Ben Gordon 21.1 PPG 3.9 APG .411 3P%
Gordon has been leading the Bulls in scoring and is a danger from beyond the arc. Ray will have to try to contain him while making him work on the defensive end as well.
Connections
Celtics assistant Clifford Ray played for the Bulls from '71-'74
Ben Gordon and Ray Allen are former UConn Huskies
Paul Pierce, Kirk Hinrich, and Drew Gooden are former Kansas Jayhawks
Big Baby Davis and Tyrus Thomas were teammates at LSU
Doc Rivers coached Drew Gooden in Orlando
Keys to the Game
Focus - Dont take this team for granted
Rebound - Don't give Bulls second chance points
Guard the Perimeter - Bulls can light it up from beyond the arc.
Limit Turnovers - Don't get sloppy with the ball
X-Factor
Trap Game
The Celtics are at home and coming off a tough game that had a playoff atmosphere against the Hawks. It would be easy to take this team for granted and get surprised by them. The Celtics must maintain their focus and not be lulled into taking the Bulls for granted.
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I love how political you are
If I was writing this preview it would go like, “The Bulls suck even though Rose is really good. Celtics win by 24, good night.”
Vinny Del Negro interviewed for the job today. I mean come on! Nobody else thinks this is nuts?
by Juiceboxjerry on Jun 6, 2008 4:21 PM CDT actions actions 0 recs
The usual..
…Go Celts!
Rose played well the first time vs. the C’s on Halloween, but after him there is a drop off in bball IQ for the Bulls/Coaching, etc., Another good test for The Double R at the point guard position.
Make Gordon work on the defensive end?
Many coaches have tried that and failed. It’ll be a field day for Sugar Ray if his shot is falling.
"People don't understand, if you can't live the rest of your life off one year in the NBA, you can't live off 21." -- Keon Clark
Nice writeup
Well Done, FLC, as usual.
Wonder how many fans show up in the snow.
Go Celts!
God bless and good night!
Don't want to be stuck in traffic.
Glad to see everyone got to the game early to avoid snow problems.
Gabe Pruitt doesn't see shot clock and puts up airball.
The next Eddie House, ladies and gentlemen.
God bless and good night!
it's too bad
I wanted to see Rondo go for 30 assists on the night. I guess there’s still time…
He has a shot on a trip-dub though. Already a few boards and like 8 assists – half way into the second quarter.
God bless and good night!
Why is lindsey hunter on the Bulls?
He’d look good in Green. At least he would’ve a year or two ago… haven’t seen much of him this year.
God bless and good night!
the 'sportsnetdebate' URL is broken
The question is: Who’s more clutch? Pierce or Bird.
Bird easily IMO.
Too bad the URL is broken. Sportsnet fails.
God bless and good night!
Maybe it hurts to have Rondo pushing it?
Rondo’s playing great when he plays fast and pushes it. But maybe the Celtics can’t maintain their defensive intensity when they’re going up and down the court so fast.
There's no way Boston's offense should be playing this well and only up by 2.
I’m betting the coaches will slow things down in the second half to see if the defense can sort itself out.
Self-realization.
I suddenly realize why I’m so hyper. My wife, a teacher, brought home a ton of chocolate from her fourth-graders. I managed to eat half of it before the game started.
I really enjoy watching Rondo play
Especially when he plays like he’s doing tonight, like he has been lately. Pushing the pace, great individual AND team defense. Truly a joy to watch.
God bless and good night!
Is it just me
or does it seem like there’s 4 guys on the floor playing together, moving the ball, moving around to space the floor…and then there’s Pierce.
Not saying it’s a bad thing necessarily…Pierce is possibly the most dangerous 1-on-1 player in the league (he’s undeniably top three) but it just seems odd that Pierce doesn’t move off the ball very often and has tended to be a black hole lately.
God bless and good night!
It's not even quick place.
Even in a half court set…the ball is always in Pierce’s hands longer than the norm. Please don’t cite his assist numbers – they lie (usually last resort passes). Just keep your eye on it..
God bless and good night!
Sure enough
Tommy, Mike and even KG say this 10 minutes later. And Rondo calls a Timeout cuz of it.
I’m in the wrong business…
God bless and good night!
Celtic threw an incredibly stupid full court pass with 1.7 seconds left in 3rd quarter.
Ball sails out of bounds, bringing it back under the Bulls basket, allowing them to get a shot off before time expires. Scalabrine defends the shot well though.
And they're all bumpin' right now
Scal three…Scal nasty no look pass and turn-around hook shot with the shot clock expiring…then a Tony allen steal+ windmill.
Niice.
God bless and good night!
If it works, it works
Every gamble is calculated. They are usually prudent ones.
God bless and good night!
That's because the team is finally internalizing what he's doing
Look for them to be more and more efficient adjusting to Rondo’s gambles. It will only get better.
This is the makings of a truly great defensive team.
God bless and good night!
But I'll give it to you
Pruitt’s defense has been pretty solid lately. Not spectacular, but solid.
God bless and good night!
Okay, the chocolate has worn off and the game's over.
Nice doing the game with you, BrickJames.
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