Bulls (2-2) at Celtics (4-1) 11/5 Game 6

[FLCeltsFan]

 at  
Chicago Bulls (2-2) at Boston Celtics (4-1)
Friday, November 5
8:00 PM ET
Game #6,  Home Game #4
TV:  ESPN, SNET1, CSN-C, CSNNE
Radio:   WEEI,  WMVP
TD Garden  



Probable Starters

PG: Rajon Rondo..................................................SG Ray Allen

C:  Jermaine O'Neal

SF:  Paul Pierce ................................. ............PF Kevin Garnett

Coach: Doc Rivers

Boston Bench Mob
Marquis Daniels
Glen Davis
Luke Harangody
Nate Robinson
Von Wafer
Semih Erden
Delonte West (Suspended)

Injured
Kendrick Perkins (knee) out
Avery Bradley (ankle) out
Shaquille O'Neal (knee) questionable  
Rajon Rondo (sore feet)  will play




Probable Starters

PG:  Derrick Rose............................................. SG:  Keith Bogans

C:  Joakim Noah  

SF:  Luol Deng .................................................. PF:  Taj Gibson

Coach:  Tom Thibodeau  

Bulls Bench
Omar Asik
James Johnson
C.J. Watson
Kyle Korver
Ronnie Brewer
Brian Scalabrine
Kurt Thomas

Injuries
Carlos Boozer (hand) out

Team Connections
Bulls Head Coach Tom Thibodeau was a member of the Celtics coaching staff from 2007‐10
Keith Bogans and Rajon Rondo both attended the University of Kentucky
Omer Asik and Semih Erden both are from Turkey and played on the Silver Medal Turkish National Team.
Bulls Assistant Coaches Ed Pinckney (1988‐94) and Adrian Griffin (1999‐2001) played for the Celtics
Bulls Assistant Coach Adrian Griffin, Kurt Thomas and Delonte West played together on the 2007‐08 Seattle SuperSonics
Brian Scalabrine played for the Celtics from 2005‐10

Key Matchups

Rajon Rondo  11.6 PPG,  16.4 APG,  2.6 SPG
Derrick Rose   27.7 PPG, 8.7 APG, 1.0 SPG
This is one of the premier point guard matchups in the league.  There is a lot of discussion about whether Rondo or Rose is the better PG and in a head to head matchup, expect both players to do their best to make their case as the best.  

 vs  
Jermaine O'Neal  5 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1.8 BPG
Joakim Noah   14.3 PPG, 15.3 RPG, 2.0 BPG
Noah leads the Bulls in rebounds and blocks and he plays with a lot of energy.  Jermaine is working his way into game shape after a series of injuries sidelined him through most of the preseason and early in the regular season.   He will need to up his game in this one to prevent Noah from dominating inside.  

Honorable Mention
 vs  
Semih Erden vs Omar Asik
These two players were teammates on the Turkish National Team and will face each other for the first time as NBA players.  

Game Notes
The Celtics will welcome a couple of familiar faces when the Bulls come to visit the Garden.  Tom Thibodeau, who was credited with the defense that
led the Celtics to their 17th championship is now the head coach of the Bulls.   Brian Scalabrine, who was a fan favorite in Boston for 5 seasons, has joined Thibs in Chicago.  

The Celtics catch a break in that they come into this game after a day off while the Bulls are playing in the second of back to back games, having faced the Knicks the night before.  This is the first of 4 meetings between these two teams this season.  

Last Season they split  the series 2‐2.   Paul Pierce averaged a team‐high 21.0 points per game in the 4 contests.   He also shot 50.0% from beyond the three‐point line.     Rajon Rondo just fell short of averaging a double‐double with 9.3 points and 10.8 assists per game and Derrick Rose led the Bulls with an average of 21.3 points per  game while shooting 53.8% from the floor.    Luol Deng averaged 13.3 points per game while Joakim Noah chipped in with a double‐double of 10.5 points and 12.5  rebounds per game to go along with 2.50 blocks.

Keys to the Game
Rondo/Rose Matchup -  This is not only a key matchup, but one of the keys to the game.  Both point guards control the tempo of their team and both are key to their team's success.  Rondo has been playing big minutes and in the last game, complained that his feet were sore.  The Celtics need Rondo at 100%.  

Limit turnovers - After turning the ball over just 8 times against the Pistons, the Celtics turned it over 16 times vs the Bucks.  It isn't a surprise that they had an easy win over the Pistons and had to work to get the win against the Bucks.  The Celtics must take care of the ball and limit their turnovers.  

Rebound - The Celtics have to rebound the ball.   They were out-rebounded 38-36 by the Pistons and just barely beat the Bucks on the boards 43-42.  They have to do a better job of boxing out and grabbing the rebounds.  

Defense - The Celtics defense was less than stellar against the Bucks.  They allowed way too many open and easy shots.  They must get back to a defense first mentality.  

[mgent]

I wish we had back to back to back games.  (just kidding that would suck)

[Donoghus]

The "Dons Bowl"!

Boy, I absolutely hate the Bulls with a passion.  Eager to watch the Rose/Rondo matchup.  I'm also really interested to see our bench go against theirs.  Asik & Johnson are two guys that are fun to watch.

[j804]

Advantage for us Bulls will be coming off a back to back -

Anybody think Rondo will have a chip on his shoulder facing Rose? given the USA basketball situation and all the media declaring Rose the better pg

[Fafnir]

The Bulls aren't getting embarrassed by the Knicks so far.

[Who]

This should be a comfortable win for the Celtics. The Bulls offense does not have enough shooting ability or go-to scoring (without Boozer) to trouble a top class defensive team like the Celtics.

Boston should be able squeeze their offense and build a big lead.

[Fafnir]

This should be a comfortable win for the Celtics. The Bulls offense does not have enough shooting ability or go-to scoring (without Boozer) to trouble a top class defensive team like the Celtics.

Boston should be able squeeze their offense and build a big lead.

Their only way to beat the C's will be a ton of offensive boards, or Rose absolutely going off.

[lon3lytoaster]

  I need that Celtics toaster...

C's by 58

[FLCeltsFan]

I need that Celtics toaster...

C's by 58

I love that toaster.  I've got it on my Christmas list.  How awesome to have Celtics branded on your toast every morning! 

[barefacedmonk]

I need that Celtics toaster...

C's by 58

Yea..your toaster won't be lonely anymore

TP FL.

[Drucci]

I don't know if I will be there live for the game but I will certainly watch it with a lot of interest. Should be an easy win on paper, the Bulls are on a back to back and we're rested, plus we have KG (it makes all the difference against the Bulls). Hoping Rondo gets 15 assists or more again tonight

TP FL and go Celtics!!

[Kwhit10]

First game of the year I'm going too 

Also Scalabrine's highly anticipated return to Boston (Thibs' as well) 

[GreenFaith1819]

Welcome Back to Scal and Thibs, and TP to FLCeltsFan for Post!

I hope Rondo sticks it to D Rose. I believe that our PG is better than theirs.

[Witch-King]

One of the obvious keys to this game would be to limit the Bulls' perimeter scoring and transition game and try and force them into a sort of half-court style of offense.

Even though the Chicago Bulls are only 2-2 right now they are still at the top of the Central Division and their star point guard Derrick Rose is second in the league in points per game through the first ten days of the season.

The head-to-head match-up between Rose and Rondo will be interesting because Rondo is more of a passing point guard so he might have to step it up on the defensive end of the court and force Rose to either put up some contested shots or instead try to make plays with his passing. Meanwhile Rondo will likely avoid getting into a scoring contest with Rose and just stick to his regular plays on the offensive side of the court.

I'm sure Celtics fans will be eagerly anticipating the return of Brian Scalabrine to TD Bankworth Arena.

Say what you want about the guy but you can't forget that he was a part of the Celtics team in 2008 the bested the Lakers in 6 games in the NBA Finals...

[celticinorlando]

control rose. win the game.