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First Reactions: Boston Celtics Bounce Back in the Face of Adversity

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

Apr 21, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Michael Carter-Williams (7) is guarded by Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) during the second quarter of the game in game three of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 21, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Michael Carter-Williams (7) is guarded by Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) during the second quarter of the game in game three of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Boston Celtics came to play in Game 3 of the first-round playoff series against the Chicago Bulls.

They did it for their super star point guard, they did it for their pride.  The Boston Celtics went into the United Center Friday night with energy beating the Chicago Bulls 104-87.

 The Celtics had a few things going their way heading into the game.  Bulls point guard Rajon Rondo was sidelined with a broken thumb and Isaiah Thomas made his way back in time for the game.

To add to that, Thomas and the team received a message from New England Patriots star quarterback Tom Brady.  The Boston sports legend, who knows a thing or two about playoff comebacks, showed his support in an Instagram message that said: “It’s how you come back…Good luck tonight.  We all have your back! #YourTurn.”

Isaiah’s teammates showed they had his back from the start.  The team jumped out to a 33-15 first quarter lead with a showmanship of intensity and offensive aggressiveness.

They did allow the Bulls to ease back into the game by scoring just 11points in the 2nd quarter, but came out in the second half and got back to the kind of basketball that allowed them to build the big lead in the first quarter.

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Boston’s response to any run the Bulls made was the difference on Friday night.  They took the punches and punched back harder.

Other players stepping up

Lead by Al Horford (18 points) and key contributions off the bench by Terry Rozier (11 points) and Marcus Smart (7 points, 6 assists), the Celtics showed attitude in the way they attacked the Bulls both offensively and defensively.

The fact that Isaiah Thomas scored just 16 points in the game, shows the total team effort as Brad Stevens rotated as many as 10 players when the game was still in doubt.  All 10 of those players scored in the game.

Speaking of Stevens, his decision to insert Gerald Green into the starting lineup in place of Amir Johnson paid off.

Green scored 8 points in 20 minutes, but the move allowed Horford to play the center position while moving Crowder to the power forward.  It provided a quicker and more energetic lineup for the Celtics who knocked down Chicago’s series lead 2-1.

There is still work to be done, but Friday night was a very good start.

Next: Celtics Cut Bulls Lead to 2-1

To keep up to date on Boston Celtics playoff news, keep it locked here at Chowder and Champions.

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