NBA Eastern Conference Playoff Picture:
Bostons Celtics vs. Chicago Bulls
This one is going to be over quickly. Boston is widely considered to be worst number one seed that the NBA has had in a long time. Even so, they have worked hard to get to where they are, and Celtics fans are going crazy in Beantown. It’s been a while since the Celtics were this good.
They are a “team’s team” — they aren’t the Pistons of the early 2000s by any means — and they play together almost flawlessly. That said, they rely far too heavily on the offensive firepower of the little giant Isaiah Thomas. If he goes cold or gets hurt, Boston is in for a rude awakening.
The Bulls scraped into the playoffs off of the strong finish to the season by Jimmy Butler. This was supposed to be a great year for the Bulls, signing Dwane Wade and Rajon Rondo in the offseason. Wade is returning from injury for game one, but don’t expect him to be the “Flash” of old.
The Bulls will put up a decent fight, but the Celtics are bigger, faster, and younger. Isaiah and company will take this series in five games (3–0 on home court), and Thomas will average at least 27 points and 9 assists.
On a side note, expect Canadian national team member, Kelly Olynyk to put in a strong showing for the top seeded Celtics.
Prediction: Celtics in 5
Alex Scantlebury is a multi-sport contributor for theocho.ca. He is a professor for the Algonquin College public relations program. Aaron and Riley would like to thank him for giving them an extra hour each week to spend on Bleacher Report while he was teaching. Follow Alex on Twitter at@pen_ink_page.
