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Eastern Conference playoffs preview – Boston Celtics vs. Chicago Bulls

By Derek Peterson

Nov 2, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas (4) and Chicago Bulls point guard Rajon Rondo (9) during the fourth quarter at TD Garden. The Boston Celtics won 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas (4) and Chicago Bulls point guard Rajon Rondo (9) during the fourth quarter at TD Garden. The Boston Celtics won 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 12, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics forward Amir Johnson (90) blocks a shot by Chicago Bulls center Robin Lopez (8) during the second quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics forward Amir Johnson (90) blocks a shot by Chicago Bulls center Robin Lopez (8) during the second quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /

Biggest advantage for Boston:

Isaiah Thomas

Boston didn’t just sneak up on the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland has inexplicably struggled of late, but the Celtics have been terrific since the All-Star break largely because of the play of Isaiah Thomas.

Thomas finished third in the NBA in scoring at 28.9 points a night, including 9.8 points in the fourth quarter that ranked only second-to-only Russell Westbrook.

Against the Bulls, there will be two things working for Thomas: he won’t be spending much time on the bench and he won’t be guarded by Jimmy Butler the entire time.

Let’s get to that first part. As much as head coach Brad Stevens will probably want to give Thomas the occasional breather, he can’t. Boston’s offense craters when Thomas sits. With him on the floor this season, the Celtics posted a 113.6 offensive rating (that would have ranked first in the NBA over a full 48 minutes). When Thomas goes to the bench, that number drops to 99 (or, dead last).

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Second, Jimmy Butler, the Bulls’ premier perimeter stopper, won’t be planted on Thomas the entire game. Fourth quarter? Now that’s a different story, but Butler figures to move around on the defensive end thanks to the quality of offensive compliments the Celtics have and their second-ranked assist percentage.

Biggest advantage for Chicago:

Defense

It seems silly to say an offensive weapon is one team’s biggest advantage and then turn around and say the opponent’s defense is its, but that’s where we are. If Chicago has any hope of toppling the Celtics, it has to muck up the game and rely on the less glamorous end.

The Bulls own the sixth best defense in the league thanks to stingy interior play and the aforementioned Butler. Since the All-Star break they have the third-best defensive rating in the NBA, behind only Golden State and San Antonio. They’ve also been the best team in the league defending the three.

They make you take tough shots, they rebound well – something the Celtics are allergic to, apparently – and they don’t let you get to the free throw line often. Rajon Rondo needs to stay engaged, Dwyane Wade needs to stay healthy and the Bulls will have a shot containing the Celtics.

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