Larry Ness
Boston vs. Chicago
Pick: Chicago
When the Cavs' late-season slump allowed the Celtics to claim the East's No. 1 seed with a 53-29 record, many pointed to Boston's plus-2.7 point-differential and proclaimed that this just might be the weakest No. 1 seed in NBA history. So far, the Celtics have done nothing to disprove that claim, losing Game 1 at home to the 41-41 Bulls 106-102 and then following that with an embarrassing 111-97 loss in Game 2.
"I'm not surprised because everybody's so locked in right now" All-Star swingman Jimmy Butler told reporters Tuesday referencing Chicago's play. "Everybody's putting in extra work right now, watching film, working on their game, and that's where your confidence always comes from." Butler has been outstanding, averaging 26 points, 8.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.5 steals while playing 84 minutes through the first two games. Wade was shut down in mid-March but returned for the final three games of the regular season, as he helped Chicago clinch a playoff spot by winning its final two games. He's now averaged 16.5-4.5-4.0 in the two wins over Boston. Former Celtic Rajon Rondo, a bust during the regular season (7.8-5.,1-6.7), has played like the Rondo of old, averaging 11.5-8.5-10.0. Then there is center Robin Lopez, who has played more like his twin brother Brook, averaging 16.0 (on 66.7% shooting) and 9.5.
The Celtics rely heavily on PG Isaiah Thomas () 28.9 & 5.9 APGbut he continues to grieve over the loss of his sister in a car accident prior to the series. He will be returning to the team after spending time with family in Washington, looking to recover from a Game 2 effort in which he scored 20 points on 6-of-15 shooting and missed an uncharacteristic six free throws. "It's super hard on Isaiah," head coach Brad Stevens told reporters Wednesday. "You can tell. I think that during the games and during walk-throughs and the film, he's trying his very best to focus." It sure hasn't helped that Thomas' backcourt partner, Avery Bradley, has gone 10-of-28 (35.7%) from the floor in Boston.
Stevens may shake of the lineup, with starting forward Amir Johnson (nine points in 27 minutes in the series), continuing to see a reduced role. That said, one wonders if Boston is capable of turning this around. Jimmy Butler, Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo have come together to lead the way plus the Chicago bench, most notably Bobby Portis (11.0 & 6.0) and Paul Zipser (11.0), have played no small part in Chicago's success. Play the Bulls, who go up 3-0.