Celtics to host Chicago Bulls in first round

The Boston Celtics will enter the 2017 NBA Playoffs as the number-one seed in the Eastern Conference. Their first-round opponent will be the number eight seed the Chicago Bulls. Boston and Chicago split the season series 2-2. The first three games were hard-fought battles, including a controversial Chicago win on the night before the All-Star break. Jimmy Butler was “fouled” as time expired and drained two free throws to give the Bulls the victory. Boston completed the season series with a dominating win, where they led by as many as 29 and never trailed.

Regular Season Results

October 27^th at Chicago – Lost 105-99

November 2^nd at Boston – Won 107-100

February 16^th at Chicago – Lost 104 – 103

March 12^th at Boston – Won 100-80

Key Stats

Boston Celtics

Starters

Al Horford – 3 GP, 10 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 4.7 APG

Amir Johnson – 4 GP, 10 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1.3 APG

Jae Crowder – 4 GP, 9 PPG, 6 RPG, 1.3 APG

Avery Bradley – 3 GP, 15.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 3.3 APG

Isaiah Thomas – 4 GP, 24.8 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 5.8 APG

Reserves

Marcus Smart – 3 GP, 8 PPG, 5 RPG, 3.7 APG

Kelly Olynyk – 2 GP, 14 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 3.5 APG

Jaylen Brown – 3 GP, 7.3 PPG, 2 RPG, 0.7 APG

Jonas Jerebko – 4 GP, 3.5 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 0.5 APG

Terry Rozier – 4 GP, 8.0 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 2.3 APG

Chicago Bulls

Starters

Robin Lopez – 4 GP, 11 PPG, 6 RPG, 1.5 APG

Nikola Mirotic – 2 GP, 16 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 1 APG

Jimmy Butler – 4 GP, 20.3 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 3.8 APG

Dwyane Wade – 3 GP, 15 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 3 APG

Rajon Rondo – 4 GP, 4.5 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 7 APG

Reserves

Jerian Grant – 3 GP, 5.3 PPG, 2 RPG, 1.3 APG

Paul Zipser – 1 GP, 3 PPG, 2 RPG, 0 APG

Bobby Portis – 3 GP, 11.7 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 0 APG

Cristiano Felicio – 4 GP, 4.5 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 0 APG

Joffrey Lauvergne – 1 GP, 3 PPG, 2 RPG, 0 APG

Schedule

Game 1 – Sun. April 16 Chicago at Boston, 6:30 p.m., TNT
Game 2 – Tue. April 18 Chicago at Boston, 8 p.m., TNT/R
Game 3 – Fri. April 21 Boston at Chicago, 7 p.m., ESPN
Game 4 – Sun. April 23 Boston at Chicago, 6:30 p.m., TNT
Game 5 * Wed. April 26 Chicago at Boston, TBD
Game 6 * Fri. April 28 Boston at Chicago, TBD
Game 7 * Sun. April 30 Chicago at Boston, TBD

Via NBA.com