Game Preview: Celtics v Bulls

The Boston Celtics play host to the Chicago Bulls in Game 5 of the Eastern
Conference first-round playoffs, at TD Garden on Wednesday evening. The series
is tied 2-2. So far neither team has won at home in this series. It began with
the Bulls stealing the first two games in Boston, and then the Celtics answered
by winning the next two games in Chicago. After dropping the first two games,
the Celtics made a major adjustment by replacing Amir Johnson in the starting
lineup with Gerald Green. It turned out to be a good decision, as Green was
solid in both games and the Celtics got the wins. Green will likely continue to
start, while Johnson’s minutes could be few, as he only played six in Game 3 and
none in Game 4. Isaiah Thomas led the Celtics in scoring in Game 1,2 and 4, with
a particularly impressive 33-point showing in Game 4. In Game 3 Al Horford was
the man for the Celtics, with a team-high 18 points and eight rebounds. Horford
also came up big in Game 4, with 15 points and 12 rebounds. The Celtics will
need another collective effort in Game 5. Meanwhile, the Bulls were dealt a blow
after Game 2, when it was determined that Rajon Rondo, who had been huge for
them, would miss time due to a thumb injury. The Bulls fell in both Game 3 and 4
without Rondo, and his status remains questionable for Wednesday. If Rondo does
play, he might be able to provide the Bulls with the steadiness they need to get
back on track. So far the Bulls have struggled to find a solution at the point
guard position without Rondo. Isaiah Canaan got the majority of minutes in Game
4, where he logged 13 points, three assists, two steals and two rebounds, in 34
minutes. Dwyane Wade has shot about 40 percent from the field, averaging 15.5
points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists so far in the series, while Jimmy Butler
topped 30 points in Game 1 and 4, but was less efficient in Game 2 and 3.