Bulls Confidential Countdown: Chicago vs. Boston Game 6
It’s elimination day, though not in the way the Bulls or their fans were hoping. Though the team looked better in Game 5, a mental breakdown in the fourth quarter made a 108–97 loss look worse than it should have. Would losing Game 6 be payback for the 1993 champs beating the Knicks in four straight after falling in an 0–2 hole? Regardless, Rajon Rondo likely won’t be on the floor for it, so the quest to finish what he started remains tall.
Game Information:
Boston Celtics (3–2) at Chicago Bulls (2–3) — 7 p.m. CDT — CSN, ESPN
Projected Starters:
Boston Celtics:
Isaiah Thomas
Avery Bradley
Gerald Green
Jae Crowder
Al Horford
Chicago Bulls:
Isaiah Canaan
Dwyane Wade
Jimmy Butler
Nikola Mirotic
Robin Lopez
Three Keys:
- The remaining two Alphas:
In Game 5, Player A came within two assists of a triple-double and made all 10 of his free throws while Player B scored 14 and missed his only attempt at the charity stripe. You’ll be shocked to learn those players are Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler respectively, not the other way around. While it’s encouraging to see Wade turn into his younger self, top dog Butler cannot disappear like that in a pressure situation. So be it if this duo has to turn into a two-man wrecking crew to save the Bulls’ season, but they both better be as valuable as each other.
2. Playing Robin Lopez in key moments:
A common criticism of Fred Hoiberg in this series has been his tendency to sit Robin Lopez with the game close and time running out. While Cristiano Felicio and Paul Zipser are good in spurts, they should mainly be used to give Lopez a rest. Lopez has quietly done everything expected of him this season, so to not have him on the floor with the season at stake would not only be wrong, but insulting to everything he has accomplished. At this point, only your most talented players should see the floor in crunch time and Lopez definitely qualifies.
3. Keeping cool:
Everyone already knew the Bulls let Rondo’s absence get to them, but becoming outwardly upset with how Game 5’s fourth quarter went took it to a whole new level. Worse yet was that the two technicals came from Wade and Lopez, two players who have been around long enough to know teams pounce on opponents that don’t keep their emotions in check. This will happen again if the Bulls don’t realize how costly their actions in the last game were. The playoffs are a test of character and they have tonight to prove they can still pass it.
Outlook:
No Rondo will again hurt the Bulls as it has throughout his absence. Isaiah Thomas has not let his sister’s death affect his play and his teammates have filled their roles nicely. Even if Butler and Wade are equally valuable for the Bulls, the rest of the team just isn’t good enough to overcome the extra push Rondo provided in the first two games. The 2016–17 Bulls will regrettably die in front of their fans.
Prediction: Celtics
