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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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Feb 16, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) drives on Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) during the second half at the United Center. Chicago won 104-103. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 16, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) drives on Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) during the second half at the United Center. Chicago won 104-103. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

Key matchup:

Jae Crowder on Jimmy Butler

Jimmy Butler and Jae Crowder. They are former college teammates at Marquette. Both have super cool hair. Both were dangled in trade discussions for much of the season. Both are excellent defenders capable of guarding multiple positions. What’s not to like?

Crowder and Butler will likely spend most of the series guarding each other. In four games against the Celtics this season, Butler was stifled. He was effective from the perimeter but inside the arc was a disaster. Nearly a quarter of his attempts came inside the three-point line, either in the mid-range (where he shot 25 percent) or at the rim (where he shot 38 percent). If Crowder can have a similar effect on Butler in the postseason, the Celtics will cruise.

Related Story: How Oklahoma City could get a Crowder-like contract

On the other side, Crowder isn’t near the offensive weapon Butler is, but he has still been effective.

On the season, Crowder averaged a shade under 14 points a game and shot 39.8 percent from beyond the arc. He doesn’t need to be a big-time scorer for the Celtics to succeed – that’s what Thomas is for – but if he can keep Butler’s attention long enough, he can keep him away from Thomas.

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