Bulls (12-13) at Celtics (24-2) 12/18

[FLCeltsFan]

  at 

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    




Coach: Doc Rivers
Average Age: 26.7
Average Height: 6-6
Average Weight: 222

Probable Starters

Rondo/R Allen/ Pierce/ Garnett/ Perkins

Reserves
Tony Allen
Glen Davis
Eddie House
Leon Powe
Gabe Pruitt
Brian Scalabrine
Patrick O'Bryant
Sam Cassell 
 
Injuries:
Paul Pierce (knee) probable




Coach: Vinny Del Negro
Average Age: 26.0
Average Height: 6-7
Average Weight: 219

Probable Starters
     
Rose/ Gordon/Deng/Gooden/Gray 

Reserves
Thabo Sefolosha
Joakim Noah
Andres Nocioni
Aaron Gray 
Demetris Nichols
Cedric Simmons
Michael Ruffin
Kirk Hinrich
Larry Hughes
Tyrus Thomas

Injuries
Derrick Rose (elbow) probable
Kirk Hinrich   (ulnar cruciate ligament)  out
Michael Ruffin  (ankle)  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

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. 

[BudweiserCeltic]

Another X-Factor is that we completely embarassed them earlier in the season. Rondo will be very important in this game, good Rondo better show up. I think TA should have a good game against these guys.

[ACF]

Once again, TP for FL.

[Dybdal]

TP as allways for the work put into the thread

Cant wait to see what Rondo & Tony Allen is going to show up for this game.. hopefully both Rose & Gordon will have their hands full all night, regardless i think its going to be a worthwhile game to catch.

[Celtic]

17 in a row, here we go.

[ma11l]

This could end up being a very, very challenging game for the Celts.  All of their games this year have been in front of raucous sold out crowds.  This one will be nothing like that, and it's at home no less.


Many people aren't going to be able to get to this game.  I'd be surprised if the Garden is half full.  It's going to have the feel of an October preseason game as opposed to a regular season game.  The boys are going to have to get themselves fired up.  We know KG will be able to do it, hopefully the rest can as well.


In a regular season where were looking for challenges to meet, this will be one of them.  We know were the better team going in, but will the boys be able to get their heads in the game and keep up their intensity.  Again, I look for KG to shine in this one for this exact reason.

[Redz]

...first snow flakes falling here

[Cman]

Man, I wish I could watch this game. 

I was supposed to be at my parents outside Boston tonight, so I would have been able to catch the game on TV.  But my flight was cancelled and I am stuck in the Bay Area.... and the game is not being carried on any national channel 

[Donoghus]

I'll be trudging through this Nor'easter and will be in attendence.

Should be an entertaining one.

[fairweatherfan]

I am looking forward to seeing Perk make Gray look like more of an clumsy, trudging ball of suck than he already does.  Let's go Celtics, 17 the year we hung the 17th seems appropriate (18 more so  )

[housecall]

TP for FL

[steved24]

I'll be trudging through this Nor'easter and will be in attendence.

Should be an entertaining one.

TP for being a true fan!

[guava_wrench]

I feel bad for Chicago. They have a game tomorrow at home. Hard to imagine them flying out tonight.

[Amir]

Good to hear I wont be the only one at the game tonight (although I wouldnt mind)

[ILoveWalta]

TP for FL

Hoping the Bulls shooters stay like the weather outside - COLD.