NBA PLAYOFFS: Chicago Bulls at Boston Celtics ($25 Prize!)
UPDATE: THE WINNER OF THE $25 AMAZON GIFT CARD IS steven*********@outlook.com CONGRATULATIONS!
Dec 9, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) returns the ball against Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) in the second half at TD Garden. Celtics defeated the Bulls 105-100. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Prizing:
1st Place: $25 Amazon gift card
2nd-5th Place: $10 Starbucks gift card
Overview:
On Sunday, April 16th, the (41-41) Chicago Bulls will take on the (53-29) Boston Celtics in game one of their Eastern Conference playoff series.
The Crowd:
“The Crowd” is projecting a final score of Celtics 103.4 – Bulls 100.7 with an over/under of 204.1.
Statistics (2016-17 season):
Point differential: Celtics +2.6 (8th) > Bulls +0.5 (14th)
Points per game: Celtics 108.0 (7th) > Bulls 102.9 (23rd)
Points allowed per game: Bulls 102.4 (6th) > Celtics 105.4 (15th)
Field Goal Percentage Offense: Celtics 45.4% (16th) > Bulls 44.4% (25th)
Three Point Percentage: Celtics 35.9% (14th) > Bulls 34.0% (tied for 24th)
Field Goal Percentage Defense: Celtics 45.0% (9th) > Bulls 45.8% (16th)
Turnovers committed per game: Celtics 12.6 (tied for 8th) > Bulls 13.0 (13th)
Turnovers forced per game: Celtics 13.4 (tied for 15th) > Bulls 12.9 (tied for 20th)
Rebounds per game: Bulls 46.3 (3rd) > Celtics 42.0 (tied for 26th)
Assists per game: Celtics 25.2 (tied for 3rd) > Bulls 22.6 (14th)
Summary:
Both Boston and Chicago are playing well going (7-3) in their last ten games entering the playoffs. The Celtics are clearly the more potent offensive team while Chicago is stronger defensively. Bulls guard Dwyane Wade returned from his elbow injury and will be healthy for the playoffs. Wade was a force in the playoffs last year averaging over 22 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists per game. Wade, combined with Jimmy Butler and Rajon Rondo, could certainly give Boston a series. The Bulls have the advantage on the glass but they really struggle to shoot the three. Chicago is (6-4) in their last ten head to head games with Boston.
Boston is led by the diminutive Isaiah Thomas who had an unbelievable season averaging 28.9 points and 5.9 assists per game. While the Bulls have more star power than the Celtics, Boston has much better depth. If they choose Boston could go ten or eleven deep and have six players averaging at least 9 points per game. Al Horford (14 .0 PPG and 6.8 RPG) will provide a much-needed post presence and take some pressure off of Thomas. The main question for Boston is who will provide the scoring when Thomas goes to the bench? I think this will be a close game but I give Boston a slight edge at home.
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