Chicago Bulls: Time to Take Care of Business at Home
The Chicago Bulls are in an almost unprecedented situation. They are up 2-0 on the one seed in the first round of the NBA playoffs. The series now heads to Chicago where the Bulls will have a chance to put the Celtics away.
Man, who would’ve thought? Now, I think that this series is definitely not over, but you can bet the United Center will be rocking and the Chicago Bulls will be ready. Game Three is pivotal for this Bulls team. If they lose it, they head back to Boston either up 3-1 or tied 2-2. If they win it, they will be up 3-1 at the minimum heading back to Boston. This game is important, clearly. A 2-0 lead sounds awesome, but go up 3-0 and they finish the Boston Celtics.
If they win it, they will be up 3-1 at the minimum heading back to Boston. This game is important, clearly. 2-0 is awesome, but 3-0 and the Celtics are done.
What do the Bulls have to do at home? Well, just like being on the road, they have to control the tempo. The Bulls were absolutely brilliant at this in the first two games, mostly because of the play of Rajon Rondo.
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It is vital that the Bulls come out and set the tone and dictate the game’s pace just like they did on the road. They cannot just fall back on the home crowd and the atmosphere. If they come out aggressive and energized, it will be hard to take them down in game three.
Another thing that will have to improve, and it should at home, is the play of the backup point guard. Rondo is definitely not old. At age 31 he clearly has a lot of game left. But Jerian Grant and Michael Carter-Williams were horrific on Tuesday night.
They turned the ball over, took wild shots and didn’t defend well. Bench players always play better at home, and this is especially so during the playoffs. Look for guys like Nikola Mirotic, Paul Zipser and Bobby Portis to all play well. Grant should do well, too.
Next: Bulls Dominate Celtics in Game 2
Controlling the pace and getting solid bench contribution should be enough for the Bulls to top the Celtics in game three. Of course, solid play from Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade should be expected. The Chicago Bulls have put it together in two straight road games. There is no reason to think they can’t for a game three at home.