The Bulls might not be a typical No. 8 team, but they've also been extremely inconsistent this season. That can't be said for the Boston Celtics, who improve
year after year under Brad Stevens.
Three X-Factors
Jimmy Butler saga - Rumors have swirled since last year’s draft that the Celtics were eyeing the Bulls’ two-way star, and though nothing materialized, there was substantial chatter around this year’s trade deadline, too. The Bulls seem to be caught in limbo, deciding between dealing Butler and embracing a rebuild or building around the potential franchise cornerstone. The Celtics, with all those draft assets, will get an up close look at the three-time All-Star, who’ll be doing his best to stun the No. 1 seed.
“We’ve got to go out there and throw the first punch,” Butler told reporters. “Game 1, on the road at that, but I think we’re capable of it. I don’t think the goal here is just to make the playoffs. We want to win.”
Latest NBA coverage:
NBA first-round playoff preview: No. 1 Celtics vs. No. 8 Bulls
NBA playoffs 2017: First-round predictions
Stopping IT - In reality, he’s only 5-foot-9, but Isaiah Thomas packs a punch and is the unquestioned offensive leader of the Celtics. Credit coach Brad Stevens for believing in Thomas and harnessing his scoring ability despite his defensive shortcomings. And as for that whole clutch gene? Thomas is second in the NBA to only Russell Westbrook with 9.8 ppg in the fourth quarter. Butler, though, ranks 15th in the NBA in fourth quarter scoring at 6.2.
The difficult part about facing the Celtics is that they aren’t a one-man band. They have the second-best assist ratio in the league, and a slew of double-digit scorers in Al Horford, Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder.
Old dog, new dog - Dwyane Wade probably never imagined he’d have to win a game on the final day of the regular season to get into the playoffs when he decided to sign with the Bulls. But months later, that’s where we are. The Bulls had been rocky all season, from in-fighting, to injuries to midseason trades. But they’ve still got Wade (and not to mention Rajon Rondo), who are both playoff-tested. It’s not hard to imagine those veterans buckling down and doing everything they can to salvage a season that nearly went awry.
As for the other side, Brad Stevens has yet to win a playoff series, but the Celtics have improved their win total every single season
Three X-Factors
Jimmy Butler saga - Rumors have swirled since last year’s draft that the Celtics were eyeing the Bulls’ two-way star, and though nothing materialized, there was substantial chatter around this year’s trade deadline, too. The Bulls seem to be caught in limbo, deciding between dealing Butler and embracing a rebuild or building around the potential franchise cornerstone. The Celtics, with all those draft assets, will get an up close look at the three-time All-Star, who’ll be doing his best to stun the No. 1 seed.
“We’ve got to go out there and throw the first punch,” Butler told reporters. “Game 1, on the road at that, but I think we’re capable of it. I don’t think the goal here is just to make the playoffs. We want to win.”
Latest NBA coverage:
NBA first-round playoff preview: No. 1 Celtics vs. No. 8 Bulls
NBA playoffs 2017: First-round predictions
Stopping IT - In reality, he’s only 5-foot-9, but Isaiah Thomas packs a punch and is the unquestioned offensive leader of the Celtics. Credit coach Brad Stevens for believing in Thomas and harnessing his scoring ability despite his defensive shortcomings. And as for that whole clutch gene? Thomas is second in the NBA to only Russell Westbrook with 9.8 ppg in the fourth quarter. Butler, though, ranks 15th in the NBA in fourth quarter scoring at 6.2.
The difficult part about facing the Celtics is that they aren’t a one-man band. They have the second-best assist ratio in the league, and a slew of double-digit scorers in Al Horford, Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder.
Old dog, new dog - Dwyane Wade probably never imagined he’d have to win a game on the final day of the regular season to get into the playoffs when he decided to sign with the Bulls. But months later, that’s where we are. The Bulls had been rocky all season, from in-fighting, to injuries to midseason trades. But they’ve still got Wade (and not to mention Rajon Rondo), who are both playoff-tested. It’s not hard to imagine those veterans buckling down and doing everything they can to salvage a season that nearly went awry.
As for the other side, Brad Stevens has yet to win a playoff series, but the Celtics have improved their win total every single season
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