The Epic Conclusion Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics Game 7 Preview Riebeil Durley-Petty
Over the past two weeks the basketball universe has born witness to one of the remarkable series in NBA playoff history. The Lord has truly bestowed hoopheads with a heavenly underserved hardwood blessing in the form of the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls. Can you remember the last time you saw a series with so many dramatic momentum swings, enormous shots and intense pressure within such a short time frame? The games have been like an escalator, endlessly going up and down. Late R&B singer Aaliyah’s Back and Forth perfectly characterizes this vacillating battle. Leads in this series dissolve quicker then an Alka Seltzer tablet in a glass of water.
The Celtics-Bulls has produced many milestones as well. The four games decided by three points or less equals the record established by the Celtics-Philadelphia 76ers 1981 series. The series has also set the new precedence for most overtime contests with four and 7 total extra frames. During the hellacious clash there have been 65 ties and 106 lead changes. This has truly been a spellbinding, engrossing, transfixing, phenomenally insane, off the milli classic masterpiece. Even Shakespeare couldn’t have scripted a more suspenseful theatrical production then the Celts and Bulls. But unfortunately all good things must to come to an end.
So just who will take the last bow when the curtain closes on the final act Saturday night?
Chicago Bulls keys to victory
D-Rose must go
Rookie of the Year Derrick Rose and Rajon Rondo have engaged in one of the most electrifying point guard battles ever. Rose has been the barometer for the Chi the entire year, and the playoffs has been no different. In the Bulls three wins Rose has been spectacular averaging 30.6 points, 9 dimes and 7 rebounds. In the losses Rose has averaged a pedestrian 11 points, 5 assists and 5.6 rebounds. When Rose aggressively attacks the rack off pick and rolls and isolations he slices Boston’s interior, gets mid range jumpers for himself and creates open looks for Ben Gordon, John Salmons and Kirk Hinrich to drill jumpers. Rose’s penetration also enables Joakim Noah, Tyrus Thomas and brad Miller lanes to get offensive boards.
When Rose is apprehensive, the offensive stagnates and Rose becomes far more guardable, usually getting baited by the Celts into firing long j’s. Rose must also be judicious with the rock cause as incredible as he’s been he’s been apple turnover, committing 5.23 giveaways a game. It’s also pivotal Rose and the Bulls collectively minimize Rondo’s forays into the paint cause when he shreds the D it causes havoc and opens looks for Big Baby Davis, Ray Allen and Kendrick Perkins. The Bulls have to make Rondo beat them with his skittish jumper. In order for the Bulls to pull the shocker in the Garden D-Rose must explode and use his Nascar acceleration to penetrate the gaps and slice Boston like salami.
J-Sal in ya mouth
John Salmons has emerged as a star in this series. Salmons struggled in the first few games, but the former Miami Hurricane finally rediscovered his shooting touch, erupting for 35 points and 6 boards in Game 6 and it couldn’t have come at a more opportune time for the Bulls with the firestarting Ben Gordon fouled out spectating from the pine.
Salmons is Chicago’s most consistent offensive player and should be the featured option. He’s got the most expansive offensive arsenal of anyone on the roster with his ability to drill treys, bust mid range fall-aways dope handles and affinity for finishing at the tin with runners or left and right hand layups. J-Sal is crucial because he forces Paul Pierce to expend energy on the defensive end which effects his offensive production. J-Sal has routinely blown past Pierece this series and blazed every defender he’s faced like a Newport cigarette with his hesitation jumper. The Bulls need to feed Salmons early and often to help stabilize them and prevent them from getting rattled in the raucous Boston Garden.
Big Bulls Gore on the Boards
Joakim Noah, Tyrus Thomas and Brad Miller have been huge for the Bulls in the paint. Noah has been absolutely tremendous with his infectious infinite energy. He’s been pugnacious on the glass (12.8 boards), defense (2.2 blocks) and surprisingly scored 10.7 points a night, a 3 points increase over his season average.
Miller rebounded from getting his grill cracked at the end of Game 5 with a huge Game 6, going for 23 points and 10 rebounds, including some timely free throws as well. Miller’s postseason experience and leadership has been vital. One of the best shooting big men in the NBA, the savvy vet has also supplied some timely triples as well, going 5-6 in the series.
The outrageously athletically gifted Thomas has been sporadic at times, he’s knocked down some big jumpers and been wreaked havoc defensively, punching 3 shots a game. Thomas needs to play within himself, not get enamored with pulling jumpers, focus on hitting the boards hard, continue playing stellar defense and finishing at the rim with ferocious booms.
Boston Celtics
The Truth will set you free
Paul Pierce is the best player in this series. That’s an indisputable fact. However, Pierce, the self-proclaimed “best player it in the world” (which is farfetched, though he’s definitely one of the game’s illest players) has been nowhere near that the whole series. Pierce scoring and rebounding averages of 23.7 points and 6.5 boards are good, but they’re skewered and not a good 20+ because he’s only shooting 43.9 percent overall and 34 percent on treys. Pierce has had pretty big 2 half’s but he’s faltered in the first half of practically every contest, looking lethargic and struggling to find an early game rhythm. The Truth has also had some inopportune turnovers at critical times and he’s also only averaging 1.7 assists a game.
The Celts need to make a conscious effort to get Pierce off early to avoid him getting off to a slow start. Doc Rivers needs to run some clear out sets for Pierce to help him establish a flow. With Ray Allen playing relatively consistent putting up 23.5 points an outing, busting 47 percent of his triples and barbecuing the Bulls with an obscene 51 points last game, and Rondo playing sensational, Pierce is the only missing link to the treacherous trifecta locking the series down. Pierce has to play like the Finals MVP because no one can guard him on Chicago if he really balls out. He also needs to be cognizant of not pounding the rock too long and decipher double teams and dish help comes because he has a penchant for turning the ball over when he tries to do too much.
Keep blazin like a Cajun
Rajon Rondo has ascended into stardom in this series. Hoopheads knew he was a very gifted talent, but no one could have predicted him going Oscar Robertson on the Bulls. The dazzling dynamo is averaging 21.5 points, 10 boards and 11 dimes. Those are stupid disgusting numbers. Rondo’s ridikuli virtuoso performance has blasted him off into the category of premier point guards in the game and shown his ability to elevate his game in the absence of Kevin Garnett.
Perhaps even more impressive than his jaw-dropping digits was his Game 6 performance.
Despite his horrendous 4-17 shooting, Rondo distributed 19 helpers. That’s the mark of an intuitive pure point guard that has the maturity to recognize a player is hot and to keep feeding him the pill. Rondo just needs to continue to do what he’s been doing. Chop the D like suey, delegate the ball, hit occasional mid range jumpers and make smart decisions. If he does that the Celts will definitely have a great chance of advancing to the second round.
Stay on the court Perk
Big Baby has been magnificent, more than compensating The Big Ticket’s offensive output with 18.7 points a game, and doing a solid job on the glass with his wrecking ball frame snatching 7.5 rebounds. Yet the key to Boston’s inside game is center Kendrick Perkins.
Perkins has been a guerilla. He’s been a great physical presence in the paint averaging 13.2 points, 11.3 boards, 3.3 swats and made 60 percent of his shots. When’s he’s on the floor Perk has been a dominant force. However, Perk has a propensity for attracting fouls like lent to Velcro sneakers. Perk has fouled out in two of Boston’s three losses. When on the floor Perk is an intimidating interior defensive presence, but when he’s out the game Boston’s inside D becomes very feeble and porous. Mikki Moore has been nonexistent and though he’s a diligent worker Brian Scalabrine just doesn’t possess the athleticism to defend in the paint. It’s imperative Perk plays smart and doesn’t pick up petty fouls in order to keep his banging and swanging presence on the floor.
Prediction
The Baby Bulls have matured into young men, but while they will put up a fierce battle and get down for their crown they haven’t developed enough to handle this grand stage. I just think the magnitude of a Game 7 in Boston and the reality that they’re playing the defending champs will finally set in and get them frazzled down the stretch. Ultimately, the Celts championship pedigree, experience and Pierce’s refusal to let his crew lose ala last year’s epic duel against LeBron James in last the Game 7 semifinal will help Boston be the last team standing.
The Celtics-Bulls has produced many milestones as well. The four games decided by three points or less equals the record established by the Celtics-Philadelphia 76ers 1981 series. The series has also set the new precedence for most overtime contests with four and 7 total extra frames. During the hellacious clash there have been 65 ties and 106 lead changes. This has truly been a spellbinding, engrossing, transfixing, phenomenally insane, off the milli classic masterpiece. Even Shakespeare couldn’t have scripted a more suspenseful theatrical production then the Celts and Bulls. But unfortunately all good things must to come to an end.
So just who will take the last bow when the curtain closes on the final act Saturday night?
Chicago Bulls keys to victory
D-Rose must go
Rookie of the Year Derrick Rose and Rajon Rondo have engaged in one of the most electrifying point guard battles ever. Rose has been the barometer for the Chi the entire year, and the playoffs has been no different. In the Bulls three wins Rose has been spectacular averaging 30.6 points, 9 dimes and 7 rebounds. In the losses Rose has averaged a pedestrian 11 points, 5 assists and 5.6 rebounds. When Rose aggressively attacks the rack off pick and rolls and isolations he slices Boston’s interior, gets mid range jumpers for himself and creates open looks for Ben Gordon, John Salmons and Kirk Hinrich to drill jumpers. Rose’s penetration also enables Joakim Noah, Tyrus Thomas and brad Miller lanes to get offensive boards.
When Rose is apprehensive, the offensive stagnates and Rose becomes far more guardable, usually getting baited by the Celts into firing long j’s. Rose must also be judicious with the rock cause as incredible as he’s been he’s been apple turnover, committing 5.23 giveaways a game. It’s also pivotal Rose and the Bulls collectively minimize Rondo’s forays into the paint cause when he shreds the D it causes havoc and opens looks for Big Baby Davis, Ray Allen and Kendrick Perkins. The Bulls have to make Rondo beat them with his skittish jumper. In order for the Bulls to pull the shocker in the Garden D-Rose must explode and use his Nascar acceleration to penetrate the gaps and slice Boston like salami.
J-Sal in ya mouth
John Salmons has emerged as a star in this series. Salmons struggled in the first few games, but the former Miami Hurricane finally rediscovered his shooting touch, erupting for 35 points and 6 boards in Game 6 and it couldn’t have come at a more opportune time for the Bulls with the firestarting Ben Gordon fouled out spectating from the pine.
Salmons is Chicago’s most consistent offensive player and should be the featured option. He’s got the most expansive offensive arsenal of anyone on the roster with his ability to drill treys, bust mid range fall-aways dope handles and affinity for finishing at the tin with runners or left and right hand layups. J-Sal is crucial because he forces Paul Pierce to expend energy on the defensive end which effects his offensive production. J-Sal has routinely blown past Pierece this series and blazed every defender he’s faced like a Newport cigarette with his hesitation jumper. The Bulls need to feed Salmons early and often to help stabilize them and prevent them from getting rattled in the raucous Boston Garden.
Big Bulls Gore on the Boards
Joakim Noah, Tyrus Thomas and Brad Miller have been huge for the Bulls in the paint. Noah has been absolutely tremendous with his infectious infinite energy. He’s been pugnacious on the glass (12.8 boards), defense (2.2 blocks) and surprisingly scored 10.7 points a night, a 3 points increase over his season average.
Miller rebounded from getting his grill cracked at the end of Game 5 with a huge Game 6, going for 23 points and 10 rebounds, including some timely free throws as well. Miller’s postseason experience and leadership has been vital. One of the best shooting big men in the NBA, the savvy vet has also supplied some timely triples as well, going 5-6 in the series.
The outrageously athletically gifted Thomas has been sporadic at times, he’s knocked down some big jumpers and been wreaked havoc defensively, punching 3 shots a game. Thomas needs to play within himself, not get enamored with pulling jumpers, focus on hitting the boards hard, continue playing stellar defense and finishing at the rim with ferocious booms.
Boston Celtics
The Truth will set you free
Paul Pierce is the best player in this series. That’s an indisputable fact. However, Pierce, the self-proclaimed “best player it in the world” (which is farfetched, though he’s definitely one of the game’s illest players) has been nowhere near that the whole series. Pierce scoring and rebounding averages of 23.7 points and 6.5 boards are good, but they’re skewered and not a good 20+ because he’s only shooting 43.9 percent overall and 34 percent on treys. Pierce has had pretty big 2 half’s but he’s faltered in the first half of practically every contest, looking lethargic and struggling to find an early game rhythm. The Truth has also had some inopportune turnovers at critical times and he’s also only averaging 1.7 assists a game.
The Celts need to make a conscious effort to get Pierce off early to avoid him getting off to a slow start. Doc Rivers needs to run some clear out sets for Pierce to help him establish a flow. With Ray Allen playing relatively consistent putting up 23.5 points an outing, busting 47 percent of his triples and barbecuing the Bulls with an obscene 51 points last game, and Rondo playing sensational, Pierce is the only missing link to the treacherous trifecta locking the series down. Pierce has to play like the Finals MVP because no one can guard him on Chicago if he really balls out. He also needs to be cognizant of not pounding the rock too long and decipher double teams and dish help comes because he has a penchant for turning the ball over when he tries to do too much.
Keep blazin like a Cajun
Rajon Rondo has ascended into stardom in this series. Hoopheads knew he was a very gifted talent, but no one could have predicted him going Oscar Robertson on the Bulls. The dazzling dynamo is averaging 21.5 points, 10 boards and 11 dimes. Those are stupid disgusting numbers. Rondo’s ridikuli virtuoso performance has blasted him off into the category of premier point guards in the game and shown his ability to elevate his game in the absence of Kevin Garnett.
Perhaps even more impressive than his jaw-dropping digits was his Game 6 performance.
Despite his horrendous 4-17 shooting, Rondo distributed 19 helpers. That’s the mark of an intuitive pure point guard that has the maturity to recognize a player is hot and to keep feeding him the pill. Rondo just needs to continue to do what he’s been doing. Chop the D like suey, delegate the ball, hit occasional mid range jumpers and make smart decisions. If he does that the Celts will definitely have a great chance of advancing to the second round.
Stay on the court Perk
Big Baby has been magnificent, more than compensating The Big Ticket’s offensive output with 18.7 points a game, and doing a solid job on the glass with his wrecking ball frame snatching 7.5 rebounds. Yet the key to Boston’s inside game is center Kendrick Perkins.
Perkins has been a guerilla. He’s been a great physical presence in the paint averaging 13.2 points, 11.3 boards, 3.3 swats and made 60 percent of his shots. When’s he’s on the floor Perk has been a dominant force. However, Perk has a propensity for attracting fouls like lent to Velcro sneakers. Perk has fouled out in two of Boston’s three losses. When on the floor Perk is an intimidating interior defensive presence, but when he’s out the game Boston’s inside D becomes very feeble and porous. Mikki Moore has been nonexistent and though he’s a diligent worker Brian Scalabrine just doesn’t possess the athleticism to defend in the paint. It’s imperative Perk plays smart and doesn’t pick up petty fouls in order to keep his banging and swanging presence on the floor.
Prediction
The Baby Bulls have matured into young men, but while they will put up a fierce battle and get down for their crown they haven’t developed enough to handle this grand stage. I just think the magnitude of a Game 7 in Boston and the reality that they’re playing the defending champs will finally set in and get them frazzled down the stretch. Ultimately, the Celts championship pedigree, experience and Pierce’s refusal to let his crew lose ala last year’s epic duel against LeBron James in last the Game 7 semifinal will help Boston be the last team standing.
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