At the same time, the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs was also completed.
On April 16, the first game of the series between the Boston Celtics and Bulls began at TD Garden Arena in Boston.
Celtics starting lineup: Thomas, Horford, Bradley, Crowder, Amir Johnson.
Bulls starting lineup: Rondo, Wade, Butler, Mirotic, Robin Lopez.
The Celtics ranked first in the Eastern Conference this season. Although the Bulls' lineup looked good, they were not well integrated and had constant internal strife, so they were only ranked eighth in the end.
Although the Bulls are ranked eighth, they have veterans like Rondo and Wade, as well as the newly emerged Butler, and their playoff strength cannot be underestimated.
The two teams were tied at 74 in the first three quarters.
The two teams continued to stalemate in the final quarter. Grant scored a three-pointer and Butler made all three free throws. As Portis hit a mid-range shot, the Bulls went on a 14-4 run to take a 9-point lead. Crowder and Thomas Jr. scored consecutively.
After scoring a three-pointer, Thomas made another layup. The Celtics caught up to only 2 points with 7.5 seconds left in the game. With Butler making two free throws, the Bulls finally won a thrilling 106-102, with a big score of 1
-0 lead.
In the whole game, Butler scored 30 points and 9 rebounds, Wade had 11 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists, Rondo had 12 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists, Lopez had 14 points and 11 rebounds, and Portis had 19 points and 9 rebounds.
For the Celtics, Thomas scored 33 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists, Horford had 19 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists, Bradley had 14 points and 3 steals, and Crowder had 9 points and 8 rebounds.
…
On April 18, the Chicago Bulls defeated the Boston Celtics 111-97 in an away game, taking a 2-0 lead with a total score.
The Bulls' biggest contributor in this game was Rondo, who contributed a near-triple-double of 11 points, 9 rebounds and 14 assists.
Wade had 22 points, Butler had 22 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists, Mirotic had 13 points and 7 rebounds, Lopez had 18 points and 8 rebounds, and Zipze had 16 points.
A total of 6 Bulls players scored in double figures.
The Celtics' overall performance was average. Thomas Jr. scored 20 points and 4 rebounds, Bradley scored 12 points, and Crowder scored 16 points.
Having won two consecutive away games, it can be said that the Bulls have gained a huge advantage in the series, but there is also bad news for them, that is, Rondo, who played very well in the second game, fractured his right thumb and was reimbursed for the season!
Although Rondo's shooting is average, his organizational skills are very good and his defense is also very good. Especially since he has rich experience in the playoffs, no one can replace him.
Rondo's absence had a great impact on the Bulls, and the Celtics also saw the dawn of a comeback.
…
On April 21, the Celtics defeated the Bulls 104-87 on the road, bringing the score to 1-2.
Because of Rondo's absence, the Bulls put Grant into the starting lineup.
Obviously, Rondo's absence has a great impact on the Bulls.
In the whole game, Horford scored 18 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals, Thomas contributed 16 points and 9 assists, Crowder had 16 points and 6 rebounds, Bradley had 15 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists, and Rozier had 11 points.
For the Bulls, Wade had 18 points and 3 assists, Butler had 14 points and 7 rebounds, Lopez had 12 points and 6 rebounds, Mirotic had 11 points and 6 rebounds, and Zipze had 10 points and 6 rebounds.
…
On April 23, at the United Center in Chicago, the visiting Celtics defeated the Bulls 104-95 after four quarters. In this way, the total score between the two teams was tied at 2-2.
Bulls starting lineup: Nikola Mirotic, Jimmy Butler, Robin Lopez, Jerian Grant, Dwyane Wade.
The specific scores in the fourth quarter were 30-18, 27-28, 22-24 and 25-25 (Green Army in front).
For the Green Army, the young assassin made 12 of 13 free throws with 33 points, 4 rebounds and 7 assists. Gerald Green scored 4 three-pointers and 18 points (a career high in the playoffs) with 7 rebounds. Horford had 15 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists. Crowe scored 15 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists.
De had 11 points and Olynyk had 10 points and 3 rebounds.
For the Bulls, Butler made 19 of 23 free throws and scored 33 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists (the number of free throws, free throws made and assists were all playoff career highs), Mirotic had 13 points and 7 rebounds, and Cannan made 3 three-pointers.
He scored 13 points and 3 assists, and Wade had 11 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks.
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On April 26, the Celtics faced the challenge of the Bulls at home.
Bulls starting lineup: Cannan, Wade, Jimmy Butler, Mirotic, Robin Lopez.
Green Army starting lineup: Thomas Jr., Bradley, Gerald Green, Crowder, Horford.
In order to solve the problem on the offensive end, the Bulls moved Cannan into the starting lineup.
The two teams have been in attack mode in the first half, and it was difficult to tell the difference in the first three quarters. Thomas Jr. and Horford made consecutive kills in the last quarter, the Celtics gradually took a double-digit lead, and the Bulls' offense stagnated and fell into desperation.
In the end, the Green Army defeated the Bulls 108-97 at home, taking a 3-2 lead from Tianwangshan.
Full score (Bulls in front): 20-23, 30-29, 31-27, 16-29.
For the Bulls: Cannan had 13 points and 2 rebounds, Wade had 26 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists, Butler had 14 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists, and Lopez had 14 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists.
For the Green Army: Thomas Jr. had 24 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists, Bradley had 24 points and 6 rebounds, Horford had 21 points and 7 rebounds, and Olynyk had 14 points and 5 rebounds.
…
On April 28, the Chicago Bulls faced the Boston Celtics at home.
The Celtics established a 13-point lead in the first half. In the third quarter, the Celtics hit a 34-18 climax to expand the point difference to more than 20 points. The outcome of the game was already in doubt before the fourth quarter started.
No suspense.
In the end, the Celtics defeated the Bulls 105-83 and advanced to the semifinals with a score of 4-2.
The scores in the four quarters (Celtics in front) are: 30-23, 24-18, 34-18, 17-24
For the Celtics, Thomas had 12 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists, Bradley had 23 points and 5 rebounds, and Green had 16 points.
For the Bulls, Butler scored 23 points and 7 rebounds, Wade only scored 2 points, and Lopez had 10 points and 5 rebounds.
In this way, the Celtics won 4 consecutive games to achieve a comeback. The Celtics also became the fourth team to achieve a comeback after falling behind 0-2 at home in the playoffs. The other three teams were in 1968-69.
In the Lakers season, they reversed the San Francisco Warriors 4-2; in the 1993-94 season, the Rockets reversed and eliminated the Phoenix Suns 4-3; the other team was the Rockets in the 2004-05 season, when the Rockets led 2-0 on the road.
The Mavericks were eventually reversed by the Mavericks.
In fact, this was a series ruined by injuries. If Rondo hadn't been absent, the Bulls would have probably staged a black eight miracle.
Of course, the Celtics' comeback in four consecutive games was also very dramatic and full of spectacle.
