Wednesday night was already going to be a challenge for the Chicago Bulls. They entered game five without their starting point guard Rajon Rondo who has been out of the lineup since game two. The play of the former Celtic enabled Chicago to take games one and two away from the Celtics despite their home court advantage. The Bulls have failed to make up for Rondo's double-double efforts.
Lucky for the Celtics
The Boston Celtics were able to score the basketball tonight in an unusual fashion. Avery Bradley, Isaiah Thomas, and Al Horford combined for 65 points.
The combination of the guards with the play of Horford allowed the team to grab the Bulls by the horns in the 4th quarter.
Dwayne Wade's 28 points and 11 rebounds effort was not enough to hold back the luck of the Celtics. The fact that Wade did not receive help from his supporting cast makes matters worse. Jimmy Butler and Robin Lopez could not match the offensive power that Avery Bradley and Al Horford possessed on the court.
Paul Zipser was the only player on the Bulls that ended the game with a positive player differential. The 14 points that were contributed by both players only made the loss sting less.
The eighth seed needs help from home fans
Many people have forgotten that Chicago is the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
They have continued to fight against the number one seed, and their efforts should be acknowledged. When Chicago can have dynamic guard play, they can give the Celtics at least a better run for their money. In Wednesday's performance, the Bulls had a better shooting percentage from the field. When compared to the Celtics, the Bulls shot 6.8% better than Isaiah Thomas and company.
Their rebound total at the end of the night was also greater than their opponents. At the end of the day, turnovers killed the Bulls. Sixteen turnovers in a playoff game will not ensure a victory for any ball club. With the next game taking place in Chicago, the Bulls need to come together with a solid win to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Believing in Jimmy
One thing for certain, if Jimmy Butler does not contribute to the scoreboard, the Bulls will be eliminated from playoff contention. When Avery Bradley and Al Horford are provided efficient minutes for the Celtics, they can show the world why they are ranked amongst the top of the Conference. With the consistent dominance of the all-star point guard Isaiah Thomas, the Celtics will hold nothing back in game six.
