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Boston Celtics (11-19) at Chicago Bulls (23-10)
Saturday, January 3, 2015
8:00 PM ET
Game #31, Road Game #13
TV: CSNNE, WGN, NBA-LP 752(DTV/Xfinity)
Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, ESPN 1000AM
United Center
Probable Starters 
PG: Evan Turner................................................SG Avery Bradley
C: Tyler Zeller
SF: Jeff Green ................................. ............PF Jared Sullinger
Celtics ReservesPhil Pressey
Marcus Smart
Brandon Bass
Kelly Olynyk
Gerald Wallace
Jae Crowder
Brandan Wright
InjuriesMarcus Thornton (calf) out
Jameer Nelson (ankle) out
Red ClawsJames Young
Probable Starters 
PG: Derrick Rose ............................................. SG: Kirk Hinrich
C: Joakim Noah
SF: Nikola Mirotic ............................................. PF: Paul Gasol
Bulls ReservesTaj Gibson
Doug McDermott
Tony Snell
Cameron Bairstow
E'Twaun Moore
Injuries Doug McDermott (knee) out
Mike Dunleavy (foot) out
Jimmy Butler (death in family) out
Kirk Hinrich (hamstring) probable
Taj Gibson (ankle) probable
Joakim Noah (ankle) probable
Pau Gasol (chest contusion) probable
Game NotesThe Celtics had to jump on a plane and head to Chicago after the tough loss to Rajon Rondo and the Mavericks. They need to shake that one off as it doesn't get any easier as they now face Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls.
This is the third meeting between these two teams. The Celtics won the first game 106-101 while the Bulls won the second meeting 109-102, with each team winning on the other's home court. They will meet one more time in Boston later this month on January 16.
The Bulls are playing very well while the Celtics have been up and down all season, but especially since trading their Captain to the Mavericks. Mike Dunleavy missed practice on Friday with a foot injury and is questionable for this one. 4 other Bulls are battling various bumps and bruises but are all listed as probable.
Key Matchups 
vs
Jared Sullinger & Tyler vs Pau Gasol & Joakim Noah
The Bulls have one of the tougher front courts to match up with. Gasol and Noah are both long and very talented. Sullinger and Olynyk will have their hands full trying to contain the Bulls big men and will have a tough time getting open shots with Gasol and Noah draped all over them.
Honorable MentionAvery Bradley vs Jimmy Butler
Butler is playing about as well as anyone in the league. He is averaging 21.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.58 steals. Avery will have his hands full trying to slow Butler down but slowing him will be key to getting a win against the Bulls.
Keys to the Game Defense - The Bulls are a high scoring team, averaging 102.6 points per game. The Celtics defense has left much to be desired, allowing 104.2 points per game. On the other hand, as you would expect from a Tom Thibodeau coached team, the Bulls are allowing only 98.5 points per game. The Celtics have got to match the Bulls defensive intensity if they expect to win this one.
Rebound - The Celtics can't score if they don't have the ball. Rebounding will be tough against Chicago's big front line, but much of rebounding is effort and desire and so the Celtics must put out the extra effort on the boards to give themselves extra possessions as well as to limit the Bulls fast break opportunities and second chance points.
Limit Turnovers - The Celtics are averaging 15 turnovers per game, which is too many. They also seem to go through spurts in the game when they lose focus and have a flurry of turnovers. With 3 new players and getting used to a new point guard, some turnovers are to be expected, but they have to take better care of the ball and also keep their focus better throughout the game if they want to win this one.
Play 48 Minutes - The Celtics seem to play very well at times, sometimes starting off strong and sometimes finishing strong. But then at other times, they seem to fade away and can't seem to do anything right. They have to make an effort to play hard and keep their focus from the starting tip until the final buzzer.
Be Aggressive - The Celtics must be aggressive on both ends of the court. They have to be the more aggressive team going for loose balls, on defense, on the boards, and in going to the hoop. The Celtics will be aggressive at times and then be timid at other times. They have to be the more aggressive team throughout the game if they want to win this one.
X-Factor
Back to Back on the Road The Celtics are playing in back to back games and had to travel after their loss to the Mavericks and so fatigue may be a factor for them down the stretch. Also, they are on the road where they haven't played all that well this season. Can they focus and tune out the hostile environment?
Topic: Celtics (11-19) at Bulls (23-10) Game #31 1/3/15 (Read 59943 times)