Game Thread # 17: Bulls vs. Boston Celtics

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Dec 4, 2006 6:02 PM CST in News

Nothing like the Eddy Curry-like soft underbelly of the schedule to get the Bulls closer to .500, with two wins over the weekend extending their win streak to 4.

The 5-10 Celtics may actually be worse than their record, as they had a pretty favorable early schedule, and already have 6 losses at home. And the Bulls are getting them at the right time, as the injuries have piled up: All three centers (Ratliff, Olowokandi, and Perkins) will likely be out, forcing the Celtics to go small. If that's the case, maybe we can expect more Mike Sweetney, who Skiles is starting to play more, especially against small frontcourts. And it also allows Nocioni and Deng to stay on the court more together, although I doubt I'm the only one thinking either may cool off tonight after a red-hot weekend for them both. The Bulls shot very well as a team the past two games, 48% and 50%, and are now the best 3-point shooting team in the league (interestingly enough, the Celtics are 2nd).

Tonight could be yet another game to break 100, since the Celtics are currently 21st in Defensive Efficiency, and have been maligned these past couple years as simply a bad defensive team. This game looks to be as winnable as they come: when the Bulls face a bad defense and are their suspect-offense isn't tested, things just seem much easier for them. The complete decimation of frontcourt depth will play right into the Bulls hands, though I'll be interested in seeing young Celtics like Gerald Green and Ryan Gomes get more minutes. And I'm also interested in seeing Paul Pierce, although with him nursing an elbow injury it may not be the best night to see how he'd fit in as the go-to scorer on the Bulls.

Blogging with the Enemy: Man, too many to mention, but a special recommendation to CelticsBlog and CelticsStuffLive.

This is an open game thread, so use this space to laugh at the thought of a sad Bill Simmons...

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Good Test

Sometimes these games can be the best gauge at how good our team is. The Celtics come into the UC as heavy underdogs and, on paper at least, Kirk & Co. should be able to blow them out of the building. If we are a confident team, that will happen. If we are an over-confident team, it could be a trap game.

I am predicting an ugly first half, with a close low-scoring game in the third before the Bulls get hot and pull away for a double-digit victory.

By the way, anybody else catch Thabo's new nickname: "The Swiss Army Knife"? I'm a big fan (of the name and of #2).

<<The Man in the Middle, 5-9 from the University of Rochester, SAM STRRRRRRRO-OM!>>

by stromulus on Dec 4, 2006 6:17 PM CST reply actions

Swiss Army Knife

where did that come from?

I do hope Bill Simmons watches and sees what a difference a coach can make, although he's already trying to get Doc fired, isn't he?

Also, we can watch the Knicks lose at home at the same time the Bulls win. It could be a great night.

by KT on Dec 4, 2006 6:59 PM CST up reply actions

I've been

sick all day so a win tonight would help some what.

Thabo....the accent is sweet!!

by sue369 on Dec 4, 2006 6:25 PM CST reply actions

Dirtiest Starting Lineup ever?

ryan gomes, delonte west, paul pierce, gerlad green, and sebastian telfair?

by milesgmsu on Dec 4, 2006 7:38 PM CST reply actions

my bad

it gets ever worse...kendrick perkins

by milesgmsu on Dec 4, 2006 7:39 PM CST up reply actions

That is dirty

mt roommate is gonna be pissed that he missed the bulls crushing the celtics bus

The bulls need to stop playing like Terry Schaivo.

by JackHaleyand the planetlovetron on Dec 4, 2006 7:40 PM CST reply actions

my roommate

sorry not mt roommate, i am sure you understood but I always feel like I should correct myself.
P.S. someone get chris duhon a motorcycle for xmas.

The bulls need to stop playing like Terry Schaivo.

by JackHaleyand the planetlovetron on Dec 4, 2006 7:43 PM CST reply actions

im pretty sure

thats a team rule...up there with no headbands...no motocycles

by milesgmsu on Dec 4, 2006 7:58 PM CST up reply actions

That's a league rule

That's banned in the standard player contract.

by Big D on Dec 4, 2006 11:13 PM CST up reply actions

it was a joke...

by milesgmsu on Dec 5, 2006 7:35 AM CST up reply actions

ryan gomes

better not have one of these career nights against us...im sick of scrubs kicking our asses

by milesgmsu on Dec 4, 2006 7:59 PM CST reply actions

6 point play

not thattttttttt common

by milesgmsu on Dec 4, 2006 8:06 PM CST reply actions

wow

the celtics are bad, and chapu is made of liquid metal like T2

The bulls need to stop playing like Terry Schaivo.

by JackHaleyand the planetlovetron on Dec 4, 2006 8:12 PM CST reply actions

scalebrine

funny thing is that there is a headline on NBA.com about how hes working out nicley for the celtics

by milesgmsu on Dec 4, 2006 8:12 PM CST reply actions

We better wax these guys...

I'm watchin the game cast on my computer and I can't understand why Ben hasn't really play at all so far... can someone throw me a bone?

Whenever you feel about complaining about the Bulls... just remember the days when Jabba the Krause ran the team... *vomits in mouth*

by SouthSideIrish @ Blog a Bull on Dec 4, 2006 8:16 PM CST reply actions

He has 2 fouls

that is why, also he is playing right now.

The bulls need to stop playing like Terry Schaivo.

by JackHaleyand the planetlovetron on Dec 4, 2006 8:16 PM CST reply actions

Does the Noch

remind anyone of Michael Jordan? Look at the fade away jumpers and rebounds. I am kidding, also I dont care about team rules get Duhon a Motorcycle I can contribute 50 dollars. I am sure there are enough people on here to get him one.

The bulls need to stop playing like Terry Schaivo.

by JackHaleyand the planetlovetron on Dec 4, 2006 8:31 PM CST reply actions

My goodness...

I think someone promised Eddy Curry 24 Krispy Kreme Doughnuts if he gets 30 and 15 tonight, memphis is super weak inside though... but damn.

Whenever you feel about complaining about the Bulls... just remember the days when Jabba the Krause ran the team... *vomits in mouth*

by SouthSideIrish @ Blog a Bull on Dec 4, 2006 8:41 PM CST reply actions

P.S.

I hate EC and I am glad we are thrashing the C's!

Whenever you feel about complaining about the Bulls... just remember the days when Jabba the Krause ran the team... *vomits in mouth*

by SouthSideIrish @ Blog a Bull on Dec 4, 2006 8:42 PM CST reply actions

why ...

... is stacy king showing examples of good bulls defense that all involve celtics scoring?

Dalibor and Dragan!
Like Pizza? Me too.

by FAQ on Dec 4, 2006 8:48 PM CST reply actions

Ben Wallace

is on fire....and by on fire i mean made one lucky shot

The bulls need to stop playing like Terry Schaivo.

by JackHaleyand the planetlovetron on Dec 4, 2006 8:57 PM CST reply actions

Damn

I wouldnt mind having that Paul Pierce. Staceys explanation was bullshit.

The bulls need to stop playing like Terry Schaivo.

by JackHaleyand the planetlovetron on Dec 4, 2006 8:59 PM CST reply actions

chapu

he's got 18 points of production in only 15 minutes; give this man more consistent playing time and he'd average
30 pts per game!

by NocChapu on Dec 4, 2006 9:09 PM CST reply actions

I love the Noc

but no way would he average 30pts a game

The bulls need to stop playing like Terry Schaivo.

by JackHaleyand the planetlovetron on Dec 4, 2006 9:11 PM CST reply actions

garbage time galore

the bench warmers are getting to play tonight.(although in Skiles' system the bench warmers change every couple weeks) currently got the rookies and sweets, griffin, and allen in the game. what a lineup...

by NocChapu on Dec 4, 2006 9:44 PM CST reply actions

remindes me of the 98 Bulls

just watch the bench players and then cut to the starters laughing

by joejoeEnglish94bulls4ever on Dec 4, 2006 10:16 PM CST reply actions

That was

a fun game to watch. The team seems to be finding themselves. I heard in the post game recaps that Ben W. brought his Championship ring and passed it around for his team mates to look at. They certainly are playing as a team right now. Let's hope it continues.

Thabo....the accent is sweet!!

by sue369 on Dec 5, 2006 5:51 AM CST reply actions