Da Windy City
Fansided

Chicago Bulls vs Boston Celtics: 2017 NBA Playoffs Series Preview and Prediction

By Matthew Squires

Mar 12, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) goes to the basket past Boston Celtics forward Amir Johnson (90) during the first 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 forward Jimmy Butler (21) goes to the basket past Boston Celtics forward Amir Johnson (90) during the first half of the Boston Celtics 100-80 win over the Chicago Bulls at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

After missing the NBA Playoffs last year, the Chicago Bulls return to the playoffs and take on the Boston Celtics.

The Chicago Bulls finished with a 41-41 record and limped their way to the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. The Boston Celtics finished with a 53-29 record and earned the first seed in the Eastern Conference. On the surface, this NBA playoff series may look like a mismatch, but not so fast.

Led by Jimmy Butler with 23.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.5 assists, the Chicago Bulls are looking to win their first playoff series since beating the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the 2014-2015 playoffs.

The season series between the Bulls and Celtics finished 2-2 with the Celtics dominating the last matchup 100-80. But as K.C. Johnson touched on, the Bulls saw this loss as a turning point. They went 10-6 in following games after the blowout loss.

The Bulls finished the season with the 23rd best offense and sixth best defense in the league. Conversely, the Celtics own the seventh best offense and the 15th best defense in the NBA. The Bulls will have opportunities to score on the Celtics, but they will need to get consistent stops on the defense, something they struggled with this season.

More from Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls have been a frustrating team to watch this year. They have shown flashes of brilliance against the better teams in the league. They have also shown the ability to drop a dud against lesser talented teams.

Considering how much the Bulls fluctuate from game to game, it makes it hard predict how this series will end up.

With veterans like Jimmy Butler, Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo on the team, I have a hard time seeing the Bulls laying down and getting swept in the playoffs. Butler has the ability to string together a couple of spectacular games which could lead to a couple wins. 

Prediction

The Boston Celtics will defeat the Bulls in six games.

I believe Coach of the Year candidate, Brad Stevens, will out coach Fred Hoiberg and that will ultimately be the difference in the series.

Also, much like the entire league this season, the Chicago Bulls do not have a defender that can contain Isaiah Thomas. The NBA Playoffs are historically more physical and there should be a concern the Bulls will lack toughness due to the departure of Taj Gibson.

Next: Bulls Need Dwayne Wade to Step Up in Postseason

The Chicago Bulls will be knocked out of the playoffs in the first round, and a look toward the NBA draft and free agency will begin. Something Bulls fans are getting a little too used to.

Home/Chicago Bulls