Following a five-game road trip, the Celtics are back at the Garden for a brief two-game homestand that has them entertaining the Bulls followed by the Warriors. Once again Chicago is a contender in the East while Golden State is running away in the West. And that’s not good news for the Celtics, who are just 3-8 against teams with a .500 and above record.
LOOK AHEAD
The Bulls are in the middle of a 10-game stretch where they play nine games at the United Center. This is the only one on the road when they travel to the Garden for a showdown with the Celtics. Chicago hasn’t played on the road since the day after Thanksgiving when it fell to the Pacers, losing 104-92 as a 3.5-point dog. The Bulls return home Thursday for a matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers and begin a stretch of three games in four nights. Look to fade the Bulls when they return home against the surging Clippers.
With the league-best Golden State Warriors set to invade the Garden on Friday, the Celtics better not overlook their game with the Bulls. Boston’s short two-game homestand features Chicago, one of the top teams in the East, followed by the Warriors. And playing at home hasn’t been a huge advantage for the C’s so far, going 6-4 SU and 5-5 ATS at TD Garden.
INJURIES
After experiencing a setback in his recovery from offseason back surgery, Bulls guard Mike Dunleavy isn’t expected to resume on-court work for another four to six weeks. Dunleavy has yet to play in a game this season. Also, guard Aaron Brooks is dealing with a hamstring injury and is questionable to play this week.
Celtics guard Marcus Smart is likely a few weeks away from returning to game action, according to the team. It now sounds like Smart might not be back until closer to the New Year, which is in line with the four to six week recovery time originally suggested for his knee injury.
David Lee is dealing with a bruised heel that could force him to the bench this week. He’s averaging just over 15 minutes per game, the lowest in his NBA career, and voiced his unhappiness in a reduced role.
KEY MATCHUP
Bulls point guard Derrick Rose has been beaten and battered this season and looks nowhere near the player that won the MVP in 2012. The beginning of the year has been so troubling for Rose that his numbers have been less efficient than the much-maligned Kobe Bryant. But Rose is overcoming the fractured orbital bone he suffered in training camp that impaired his vision so badly he surrendered the scoring chores to Jimmy Butler, Nikola Mirotic and Pau Gasol. He’s still wearing a protective mask to protect the injury and has also missed time with a sprained ankle, but he still plays the same way – slashing to the hoop, blowing by defenders and using his quickness to his advantage. If Saturday’s game against Charlotte is any indication, Rose seems to be on his way to recovery. He hit a season-high three three-point shots and made 8 of 17 from the field for 19 points, his highest total in five games, and looked more comfortable on the floor. He’ll have an advantage Thursday with Boston’s top defender Smart sidelined with a knee injury. The Bulls are loaded with talent and no longer need Rose to return to his MVP form, but anything close makes them a scary club.
ODDS AND PREDICTION
The Celtics had plenty of praise heaped on them from Spurs coach Gregg Popovich after a narrow defeat at San Antonio on Saturday. Boston chipped away at a 15-point deficit midway through the final quarter and had a chance to take the lead but Avery Bradley missed a corner three and the Spurs hung on for a three-point win. The Celtics used a small-ball approach to close the gap, having success with Bradley, Isaiah Thomas and Evan Turner on the court to speed up the game. That style presents problems for the Bulls, who like to slow the game down and run the floor only when the opportunity is there. These two teams play stingy defense and the offenses aren’t equipped to play a wide-open style. Boston has the edge playing at home, but the Celtics have struggled against teams above .500 teams and the Bulls are a good one.
Chicago 97, Boston 93
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