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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; Chicago Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg stands at the bench during the second half of the Boston Celtics 100-80 win over the Chicago Bulls at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg stands at the bench during the second half of the Boston Celtics 100-80 win over the Chicago Bulls at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /

X-factors

Boston: Kelly Olynyk

Simply put, Chicago doesn’t have a solid matchup for the quick, perimeter-oriented Olynyk.

Nikola Mirotic gives up too much size inside to be effective defensively. Robin Lopez and Cristiano Felicio aren’t mobile enough to keep Olynyk in front of them outside the paint. The big man from Gonzaga can shoot it from deep (50 percent on the season against the Bulls) and score close to the bucket.

In three games against the Bulls, Olynyk averaged 14 points and nearly nine rebounds over 31 minutes.

Chicago: Fred Hoiberg

Boston head coach Brad Stevens has been hailed as one of the brightest young coaches in the NBA. He’s about to begin his third playoffs and he’s largely behind the unleashing of Isaiah Thomas.

Hoiberg, the Bulls’ second-year man, has none of those things.

He’s entering into his first playoffs. His team has struggled with consistency all season long. There has been in-fighting throughout the season and the point guard spot has been in a state of constant flux. Against the top seed in the East, Hoiberg has a giant challenge on his hands.

Push all the right buttons, keep the team focused and out-scheme the more talented Celtics and Hoiberg could get some Stevens-like praise thrown his way.

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