Preview: Old Friends Return to TD Garden as Celtics Take on Struggling Chicago Bulls
AP Photo | SOURCE | Charles Rex Arbogast
Boston takes their six-game winning streak back to TD Garden to face off against the Chicago Bulls and some old friends.
HOW TO WATCH
Location: TD Garden, Boston, Mass.
Time: 7:30 p.m. (EST) / 7:00 p.m. (PST)
Channel(s): NBC Sports Boston
PLAYER STATS
Zach LaVine is the Bulls leading scorer this season averaging 27.5 points. Unfortunately, he is slated to miss a few games due to health and safety protocols. This leaves Nikola Vucevic as the lead man for Chicago. He has averaged 22.8 points and 9.9 rebounds since being traded to the Bulls at the deadline. Lauri Markkanen (14.7), Coby White (14.3), and Thaddeus Young (12.1) are all averaging ten or more for the team as well.
For the Celtics, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have been leading the charge lately. During the team’s current six-game win streak they are averaging 32.7 and 228.4 points, respectively. Kemba Walker (18.0) and Marcus Smart (16.5) are next up in the scoring column over that stretch.
RECENT GAMES
The Bulls are 23-33 on the year and sit at 11th place in the Eastern Conference. They are 4-6 in their last ten games and have lost 11 of their last 15. Among those games were tough losses to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Orlando Magic, and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Boston, on the other hand, has never been hotter. They have won six games in a row and 11 of their last 14. This includes an 8-2 record in their last ten games with comeback wins over the Portland Trailblazers, Denver Nuggets, and a Stephen Curry-led Golden State Warriors squad.
INJURIES
As mentioned, LaVine is out for the Bulls as he deals with the league’s health and safety protocols. He is the only player listed on Chicago’s injury report.
Unfortunately, Boston has quite a lengthy injury report. Evan Fournier (health and safety protocols) and Robert Williams (knee) both remain out. Brown (non-COVID illness) and Walker (non-COVID illness) are both listed as questionable as well. Then to top it all off, Jayson Tatum is listed as probable with a left ankle impingement. This could be a rough game for the C’s.
KEYS TO THE GAME
The main key to this game is to focus on Nikola Vucevic. Though he has struggled at times since being traded, he is still the only All-Star that will be on the floor for the Bulls with LaVine out. Making sure Tristan Thompson is able to body him down low will be crucial.
Another seemingly simple key is to keep up the defensive intensity. The Bulls rank 10th in the league in field goals attempted, but also seventh in field goal percentage (48.0%). The Celtics cannot give up open looks from anywhere on the floor.
Key number three has to be having a “next-man-up” mentality. With up to five vital players potentially out, it will be up to the bench to not only generate offense but execute it as well. Smart will have to lead this charge if he is the only starter that ends up playing tonight.
OLD FRIENDS
Also, a shoutout has to go to a couple of old friends returning to TD Garden! Both Daniel Theis and Javonte Green will be back in Boston tonight to take on their old team. Hopefully the fans greet them with nothing but love.
PREGAME SHOW
Make sure to tune in to our live pregame show, “The Banner Town Build Up.” We are live 30 minutes before every Celtics game @GuyBostonSports on YouTube and Facebook. See you there at 7:00 p.m. (EST) tonight!
