POST GAME CHICAGO - AWAY - PLAYOFF SERIES ROUND #1 GAME #6

Celtics blow out the Bulls in Game 6, move on to face the Wizards

CSNNE

By A. Sherrod Blakely April 28, 2017 10:23 PM


CHICAGO – The Boston Celtics were at a crossroads just two games into their first-round series against Chicago.

Down 2-0, something had to change – and change fast – if they were going to avoid being remembered as one of the worst number one seeds in NBA history.

“We didn’t have a meeting, but it was a reality check for us,” said Boston’s Avery Bradley who talked about how the team was “humbled after losing two games.”

They had a choice.

They could feel sorry for themselves and continue to struggle, or as Bradley put it, “come here (Chicago) and make history.”

The Celtics did just that, becoming the first number one seed in the best-of-seven series era to lose the first two games at home, and respond by winning the next four which includes a 105-83 Game 6 win to eliminate the Bulls.

Boston’s blowout victory was fueled in large part by a furious third quarter in which they dominated the Bulls in every way imaginable, outscoring Chicago 34-16 in the quarter which gave them a decisive 88-59 lead going into the fourth.

The 29-point lead after three quarters was a historical moment. It now stands as the largest lead the Celtics have had in a road playoff game after three quarters of play.

Boston moves on to the Conference semi-finals where they will face the Washington Wizards with Game 1 expected to be at the TD Garden on Sunday.

428_celtics_wizards.png

Fourth-year coach Brad Stevens advances past the first round of the playoffs for the first time, while the Celtics franchise is in the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2012.

And in the final game of the series, the Celtics’ depth proved to be just too much for the injury-riddled Bulls to overcome.

Former Celtic Rajon Rondo, who led the Bulls to wins in Games 1 and 2, suffered a fractured right thumb injury in Game 2 and was unable to return in the series.

And while Jimmy Butler had a strong 23-point performance in Game 6, he was hampered to some extent by sore knees which more than anything, seemed to take something away from his explosiveness both as a scorer and to defend at a high level.

The player benefiting most from Butler’s less-than-ideal status health-wise, was Avery Bradley.

After scoring a playoff career-high 24 points in Boston’s Game 5 win, he got off to a fast start in Game 6 with nine of his 23 points scored in the first quarter.

Bradley’s scoring, primarily from 3-point range, was indicative of how the game began for the Celtics.

They opened with a 9-4 run, with all nine points coming from 3-point range.

Chicago got a couple shots to go down, but Boston went on an 8-2 spurt that gave them their first double-digit lead 21-11, after back-to-back dunks by Gerald Green and Al Horford, respectively.

Boston’s control remained strong as the first quarter ended with the Celtics ahead 30-23.

And the Celtics’ second unit picked up where the starters left off by scoring eight of the first 10 points of the second quarter to lead 38-25.

Boston’s second unit helped push the Celtics’ lead to as many as 17 points in the second before the Bulls began to chip away at it.

A lay-up by Chicago’s Paul Zipser capped off an 8-0 run by the Bulls that cut Boston’s lead to 42-33 with 5:50 to play in the first half.

Boston continued to play with in the double-digit neighborhood before closing the quarter by scoring nine of the last 13 points to lead by 13 at the half.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Celtics show finishing kick, throttle Bulls in Game 6, earn date with John Wall, Bradley Beal, Wizards

WEEI

By Mike Petraglia

Goodbye, Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade. Hello, John Wall and Bradley Beal.

The team that battled for and earned the No. 1 seed in the East in the final two weeks proved they can put away an inferior (and injured) team as the top seed Celtics blew past the Chicago Bulls, 105-83, at the United Center.

Avery Bradley led the way with 23 points on 9-of-12 shooting from the field.

“I thought Avery’s decision-making and basketball play the last two games has been outstanding at both ends of the floor,” Brad Stevens said. “He’s a heck of a player and he had a great series for us.”

As has been the case in the four wins, the Celtics were sizzling from beyond the arc, hitting 16-of-38 on Friday. They finished the series with 86 3-pointers in the six games. The 86 triples is a new NBA playoff record.

“We’ve got more coming the way we shot before [Friday],” Stevens said.

Since losing Rajon Rondo to a broken right thumb (suffered in the second half of Game 2), the Bulls didn’t win a single game, as the Celtics captured the first postseason victory of the Brad Stevens era, 4 games to 2. The Celtics became the third team in NBA history (in 24 chances) to capture a series after losing the first two games at home, joining the 1969 Lakers and the 1994 Rockets.

The 1969 NBA finals was also the last time the Celtics won a best-of-7 series after losing the opening two games when they beat the Lakers in seven games.

“There’s only one goal in Boston,” Stevens said. “There’s 17 banners above us. We don’t have a choice.”

As a result, the Celtics get a fascinating Eastern Conference semifinal matchup with the Washington Wizards, their newfound rival starting Sunday at TD Garden. The Wizards beat the Hawks, 115-99, Friday in Game 6 in Atlanta to also capture their series in six games. Game 2 will also be at TD Garden on Tuesday before shifting to Washington for Games 3 and 4.

Tickets went on sale at www.celtics.com for the series 30 minutes after Boston’s blowout win in Chicago.

The two teams had a rivalry that was fueled by a war of words between John Wall and Isaiah Thomas. Bradley Beal and Wall combined for 73 points in their Game 6 win Friday in Atlanta.

The teams split their four meetings this season, with each team winning twice on its home court. That could be significant as the No. 1 seed Celtics will hold the home court advantage in the best-of-7 series.

The Celtics came out looking bound and determined to avoid a Game 7 back in Boston Sunday at TD Garden. Boston hit three 3-pointers to start the game. Jae Crowder, Avery Bradley and Gerald Green all hit triples as the Celtics raced out to a 9-2 lead.

(For a full boxscore, click here.)

They connected on six of their first 11 attempts from 3-point range and showed significantly more energy and desire to be on the court than the hometown Bulls.

The Celtics were setting screens all over and getting wide open looks on the perimeter and easy cuts to the basket. The Bulls looked utterly lost on the offensive end, not moving off the ball and settling for contested jumpers.

Marcus Smart raced from mid-court for an emphatic block from behind on Isaiah Canaan early in second quarter. Contrast that with Bobby Portis, who was trapped in the corner in front of the Celtics’ bench as Bulls teammates stood around on the weak side and offered no help to the ball. A frustrated Portis finally just gave up and took an offensive foul.

That sequence spoke volumes about the mindset of the two teams in the opening half.

Adding to Chicago’s misery was the sight of Jimmy Butler, already nursing a sore knee, getting his back stretched out on the Bulls sideline.

The Celtics built a 17-point lead thanks to a 12-0 spurt in the second quarter. The Bulls did make a couple of runs, including a 12-3 spurt that cut Boston’s lead to 45-37. Ball movement was excellent in the first half as the Celtics had 16 assists on 19 field goals, capturing a 54-41 lead at the half.

After missing his first five 3-pointers of the first half, Isaiah Thomas drilled his first three of the second half, converted a layup and Gerald Green added a triple as the lead ballooned to 21, 64-43, with 9:18 left in the third. A Bradley three grew the lead to 22, 69-47, with seven minutes left in the third. Crowder hit on a pair of threes, including one with just over three minutes left in the third as the Celtics led by an even 30, 84-54. It was the largest Game 6 lead in franchise history. The Celtics outscored the lifeless Bulls, 34-18, in the third to take an 88-59 lead to the final quarter of the series.

The Bulls waved the white flag late in the third quarter as they emptied their bench.

Isaiah Thomas will attend the funeral for his sister Chyna on Saturday in Tacoma, Washington. It’s been an emotional two weeks since Thomas received news of her death in a one-car accident from Avery Bradley after practice on April 15. Bradley, also a native of Tacoma, is expected to make the trip west to join his teammate, along with several Celtics teammates.

“[Saturday] is a lot more important than Sunday,” Stevens said of the series opener against the Wizards.

Brad Stevens had indicated before Game 2 in Boston that he was hopeful that his team could join Thomas to offer support between Games 2 and 3 last week but wasn’t sure until plans were finalized. The funeral was delayed a week and finally, Thomas will lay his 22-year-old sister to rest on Saturday.

“You want to advance,” Stevens said after his first series clincher as an NBA head coach. “Bigger things than basketball happened, and that took precedent.”

112288

GAME .......SET...........MATCH............STICK A FORK IN THEM....THEIR DONE!

NEXT.......WASHINGTON......IN BOSTON........SUNDAY 1PM..........ABC!

112288

I think the Celts were just caught by surprise in Game 1 and Game 2.

Portis came out of nowhere to score 19 in Game 1.

Zipser then torched the Celts in Game 2 for 16, 6-8 FGs.

When the situation normalized, the Bulls were back to being the #8 seed.

Avery came to play in the last 4 games. I was so down on him. No longer. He's such a valuable player. Way to go Avery.

Hi,
Great game. Even such "big fan" of Celtics as JVG said that they're shredding Bulls' defense. After that, it seemed, he lost all interest in the game.
Celtics achieved the minimum for this season - got into the second round of playoffs.

AK

Great sign, we can win with IT not having to carry us and we got better and better every game. Now the hard part, where do you hide IT defensively in a backcourt with Wall and Beal? Bulls couldn't win with Wade having historic meeting with father time and without Rondo no Bulls role player could step up. If we can shoot like this from 3 we will beat any team....big if? Looks like team is playing best basketball of season at right time.

I sure hope someone asked Rondo after the game...

hey, WHO quit?

LOL.

Forgot to give a shout out to the coach, Brad Stevens totally had his team ready for the clinching game. Great adjustments, our offense never looked better !!!

Gotta love the way Avery Bradley has stepped up, covering the best Bull like velcro and delivering on offense, best playoff stretch for him ever !!!

Boston Celtics basketball. This is what I have been talking about all season. Getting back to playing TEAM hoops instead of hero ball. We play this style on a consistent basis there is no need to blow up this team, by trading for some kind of superstar who will screw up the chemistry. With this style of play, we have a chance to go all the way this season. Sure, it's still not too likely, but IT's personal tragedy has brought the players together like nothing else this season could have.

I'm with Bob, this season has accomplished what was necessary to keep the advance going. Now that we have met that minimum, might as well go all the way so that next year's revamped squad will be defending, not challenging, for the next banner.

17goingon18

mulcogiseng wrote:Boston Celtics basketball. This is what I have been talking about all season. Getting back to playing TEAM hoops instead of hero ball. We play this style on a consistent basis there is no need to blow up this team, by trading for some kind of superstar who will screw up the chemistry. With this style of play, we have a chance to go all the way this season. Sure, it's still not too likely, but IT's personal tragedy has brought the players together like nothing else this season could have.

I'm with Bob, this season has accomplished what was necessary to keep the advance going. Now that we have met that minimum, might as well go all the way so that next year's revamped squad will be defending, not challenging, for the next banner.

17goingon18

It may take 2-3 more seasons before the Celts can be considered legit contenders.

Right now the Cavs are way better and the Warriors are unbeatable.

The final pieces of the puzzle, so to speak, are yet to be determined.

We have to find out first what the Celts get or do with the 2017 and 2018 Nets picks.

Celts don't need to trade or sign a superstar if the Nets picks end up becoming star players.

My goals for 2016-17 were to win 52 games, have the Nets wind up with the NBA's worst record, and we win the first round of the playoffs. Mission accomplished. Everything from here on out is gravy.

worcester wrote:My goals for 2016-17 were to win 52 games, have the Nets wind up with the NBA's worst record, and we win the first round of the playoffs. Mission accomplished. Everything from here on out is gravy.

Looks like you got everything you wanted from this season.

The goal I'm looking forward to is the Celts ending up with the #1 pick this June.

Fierce, exactly right.

my exact same goals too worse

This team met all my expectations. My season win total guess was one win over the actual total win amount. We won the first round.

A series win over Washington would mean that this team exceeded my expectations.

gyso

Fierce,

1. Legit title contender is such an arguable phrase. I'm certainly not as negative as you in terms of my hopes for this team. It is so easy to write off this team but I think the just concluded series is warning enough not to do so.

2. Don't make the mistake of listening to those pundits who said the Warriors were unbeatable last year when they posted the best ever regular season record. They were beaten. Cleveland has shown themselves to be very beatable this year. So "anything is possible!"

3. Agreed but it is becoming clearer

4. One pick at a time. The only question is this year's pick. Next year's pick will be conditioned by what happens next year. This year's pick is crucial because it could become a franchise type player. If somehow I end up being right about Yabusele and Zizic being solid rotation players for years to come, then the ability to draft someone like Fultz will really bring the future into focus for me. That would make the 2018 picks more of a luxury for a team that could very well be the "legit" contender.

5. Unfortunately in the "crap shoot" that is the NBA draft, nothing is a given. But at this point, and with this roster and chemistry, I am loathe to add a star player that disrupts all important chemistry. We have the possibility of adding three solid players next season without giving up anything but dollars. They may or may not work out but I'm thinking that they will. If nothing else, we strengthen our hold on the EC and will be showcasing talent all year up until next years trade deadline if things don't work out.

Such a great time to be Celtics fans, isn't it? I mean, not like when I was a kid, but still kindawesome.

17goingon18

Lets not forget about the Nets 2018 pick too.............that draft appears to be much deeper with bigs!

beat

I just listened to the NBA show on Sirius XM. The hosts were bashing the Celts for saying they'd accomplished something by beating the Bulls. The hosts thought the Wiz would Wiz all over the C's. No respect given at all. We shall see. We shall C.

Hope all is well.

Been on a 7 day cruise  and just got back.  Missed games 3 and 4 and 5.  But game 6 was available.

After game 2 there was still a flicker of light at the end of the tunnel.  

But a backend sweep?

Wow..  I do not know how far this team can go but it appears they are peaking at the right time.  Before the series began I suggested that Brad needed to give Gerald Green some run.  

AB shot over 40% from behind the arc.  His defense was stellar.   KO brought his man game and I noticed a more agressive and physical version of him.  More please.

This was a complete team effort.

They believe  in themselves and the chemistry sets the tone for what they did.

While Butler and George have gone fishing the players that Danny kept reflects a seasoned Admiral  plotting the course and seeing beyond the horizon!

Go Celts..

dboss

mulcogiseng wrote:Fierce,

1. Legit title contender is such an arguable phrase. I'm certainly not as negative as you in terms of my hopes for this team. It is so easy to write off this team but I think the just concluded series is warning enough not to do so.

2. Don't make the mistake of listening to those pundits who said the Warriors were unbeatable last year when they posted the best ever regular season record. They were beaten. Cleveland has shown themselves to be very beatable this year. So "anything is possible!"

3. Agreed but it is becoming clearer

4. One pick at a time. The only question is this year's pick. Next year's pick will be conditioned by what happens next year. This year's pick is crucial because it could become a franchise type player. If somehow I end up being right about Yabusele and Zizic being solid rotation players for years to come, then the ability to draft someone like Fultz will really bring the future into focus for me. That would make the 2018 picks more of a luxury for a team that could very well be the "legit" contender.

5. Unfortunately in the "crap shoot" that is the NBA draft, nothing is a given. But at this point, and with this roster and chemistry, I am loathe to add a star player that disrupts all important chemistry. We have the possibility of adding three solid players next season without giving up anything but dollars. They may or may not work out but I'm thinking that they will. If nothing else, we strengthen our hold on the EC and will be showcasing talent all year up until next years trade deadline if things don't work out.

Such a great time to be Celtics fans, isn't it? I mean, not like when I was a kid, but still kindawesome.

17goingon18

Last season the Warriors didn't have Durant.

And I think Lebron still has 2 years left in him.

The NBA is a star driven league.
Every year we see the teams with multiple star players make it to the finals.
It's not being negative, it's just being realistic.

When the Celts had multiple star players, Celts were in the finals twice.

Right now IT is the Celts' best player and Horford is the 2nd best player.
Celts are going to need more star power.

If the Celts can add someone like Jimmy Butler or Gordon Hayward then the Celts will be contenders.

This is where the 2017 Nets pick comes in.
If the Celts end up getting the #1 pick and the Celts pick Fultz, the Celts will have the next NBA superstar.
But even Fultz needs 2-3 years to fully develop.