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Boston Celtics: Get to Know the Celtics’ Potential Playoff Matchups

By James Carson

Apr 6, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) celebrates a play with forward Jaylen Brown (7) in the third quarter of their game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 123-116. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) celebrates a play with forward Jaylen Brown (7) in the third quarter of their game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 123-116. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 2, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls, thanks to the NBA’s tiebreaker rules, currently hold the eighth seed over the Miami Heat and would face the Celtics in the first round if the playoffs started at this very moment. Jimmy Butler, another name known well in Boston thanks to deadline rumors, has put the Bulls on his back and carried them to a 40-41 record.

Butler is averaging 23.9 points per game, while former Celtics Rajon Rondo has played his best basketball in years, though a sprained wrist has forced him to sit for the past three games.

The Bulls have split the season series with the Celtics, with both teams winning two games and losing two. One Chicago win came in the final seconds as Butler drew a questionable foul call on Marcus Smart and hit two free throws give the Bulls a 104-103 win. Isaiah Thomas again led Boston in scoring against Chicago, averaging 24.8 points in the four games. Butler averaged 25.3 points in the first three games against the Celtics, but managed to put up only five in the teams’ last matchup, which resulted in a 100-80 Celtics win.

Slowing Butler down would be the key to beating Chicago in a seven game series.

Apr 10, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) reacts after being fouled by the Orlando Magic during the second half at the United Center. Chicago defeated Orlando 122- 75. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) reacts after being fouled by the Orlando Magic during the second half at the United Center. Chicago defeated Orlando 122- 75. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

Chicago’s biggest advantage over Boston is in, like most teams, rebounding. The Bulls have averaged 46.1 rebounds per game this season but, similarly to Indiana, cannot keep with the Boston Celtics three point shooting. The rebounding numbers are also less worrisome after a deadline deal sent Taj Gibson (who averaged 6.9 per game) to Oklahoma City. Without Gibson, Robin Lopez serves as the Bulls biggest threat on the boards, though his 6.4 rebounds per game put him behind Al Horford‘s 6.9.

All the Bulls need to do to make the playoffs is win. A loss will knock them out, unless both Indiana and Miami lose as well. The Bulls can only take the seventh seed if the Pacers lose and the Heat win, as all three teams will finish with the same record. Otherwise, the Bulls simply need to defeat the Brooklyn Nets (who are resting their starters) to guarantee entry to the playoffs.

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