Bulls stuns top-seeded Celtics to take 2-0 playoffs series lead
BOSTON – The Chicago Bulls talked often during the regular season about believing they had the personnel to play as a physically imposing team.
Their output has caught up to those desires so far during the postseason.
Jimmy Butler scored 22 points, Rajon Rondo finished one rebound shy of a triple- double and the Bulls beat the Boston Celtics, 111- 97, on Tuesday night to take a 2-0 lead in their series against the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
While some might be shocked by how Chicago has played as a No. 8 seed that was just 41-41, Butler made it clear he’s not one of those folks.
‘ ’ I ’ m not s urprised because everybody’s so locked in right now,’’ said Butler, who added eight rebounds and eight assists.
Rondo had 11 points and 14 assists on a night when all five Bulls starters reached double figures. Dwyane Wade had 22 points, including 16 in the second half, and Robin Lopez added 18 points and eight points.
‘’ Everybody’s putting in each work, watching film, working on their game,’’ Butler said. ‘’ That’s where your confidence always comes from.’’
Isaiah Thomas scored 20 points for Boston.
Thomas did not speak to the media afterward and will now head to Tacoma, Washington to be with his THE
NBA post season has started and most of the favored teams have prevailed over their rivals, some in demolition jobs more thorough than the nation’s anti- squatting clearing operations. The Playoffs are supposed to be close fights but it seems like some teams are simply overmatched, basing on first game results. There were upsets, close games and some injuries but the show must go on, so here we go.
As a continuation to last week, let’s have the Eastern Conference pairings. Yes, t hese are my personal observations but results may be different. Despite the death of his BOSTON vs CHICAGO younger sister and in obvious – grief, Celtics star Isaiah Thomas put up impressive numbers but they still fell to the Bulls in Game 1. Boston’s starting unit were productive but their bench were outscored by Chicago’s reserves. The Bulls’ backcourt is controlled by experienced champion family to finalize funeral arrangements for his sister, Chyna Thomas. But Avery Bradley said while the team continues to grieve for him, it can’t be a distraction when they are on the court. vets Dwayne Wade and Rajon Rondo and it showed in Game 2. The Celtics must find an answer to Jimmy Butler and big men Nikola Mirotic and Robin Lopez. Bobby Portis can deliver the points at any given time. Celtic bigs Al Horford, Jae Crowder and Kelly Olynyk must impose their will inside the paint. Both teams only have about seven productive players and it’s just a matter of who’s having a good night. Boston should have made some adjustments for tomorrow’s Game 3. I say the Celtics in seven games. Had CJ Miles made that shot
CLEVELAND vs INDIANA in Game 1, the Pacers would – have evened things with the defending champions. Indiana had a more balanced attack but like the rest of the league, a solution is still to be formulated for a terminal problem called LeBron James. The second game is more or less as close as the previous game but Cleveland’s Big 3 were really big. The Pacers are playing without a seasoned
‘’ We have to play hard no matter what,’’ Bradley said. ‘’ You go through a lot throughout a season. You’re going to face a lot of adversity. The best teams overcome any type of adversity.’’ ( AP)
since Myles Turner is still a rookie, but he’s having a huge introduction to the ways of the post season. The Cavs can’t seem to pull away from Indiana but as soon as JR Smith, Richard Jefferson and Kyle Korver find their rhythm, Cleveland will be unstoppable. And don’t forget Deron Williams. The Pacers could get a win at home today but the series goes to the Cavs in five. The Raptors had this habit TORONTO vs MILWAUKEE of losing their first playoff – game and starring The Greek Freak, the Bucks dropped the upset axe on the Raptors with Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the way. Three other starters and two reserves from Milwaukee scored at least ten points or more as to Toronto