CELTICS GREEN BLOG by and for boston celtics fans: Celtics Host Bulls in Rematch of Epic Playoff Series

Chicago Bulls (0-0) at Boston Celtics (2-0)
Friday, October 30
8:00 PM ET
Game 3, Home Game 2
TV: ESPN, CSN HD, WGN
TD Banknorth Garden
Referees: Tom Washington, Eric Lewis, Zach Zarba

Probable Starting Matchups
Point Guard
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Rajon Rondo vs Derrick Rose

Shooting Guard
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Ray Allen vs John Salmons

Small Forward
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Paul Pierce vs Luol Deng

Power Forward
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Kevin Garnett vs Tyrus Thomas

Center
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Kendrick Perkins vs Joakim Noah

When last these two teams met, it was in a grueling 7 game series in the opening round of last year's playoffs. It could be considered one of the best all around series ever with every game close and every game physical. I am sure the Bulls thought they should have won that series and comments from them indicate that at least Rose and Noah are coming into this game looking to avenge their loss in that series. Noah said that he bulked up in the offseason because of this series in particular and has had this game circled since the schedule came out. I can imagine that Brad Miller is ready for this game with thoughts of Rondo raking his face in the front of his mind.

The Bulls are facing a reloaded and focused Celtics squad that is much different from the one they played last season. The Celtics now have KG back along with Rasheed Wallace in place of Mikki Moore, and Marquis Daniels in place of Tony Allen. The Bulls no longer have Ben Gordon and have Luol Deng back.

The Bulls are playing in the second of back to back games. They faced the Spurs at home on Thursday and beat them 92-85. Some are expecting the Spurs to challenge the Lakers in the West, but they didn't look all that special against the Bulls. On the other hand, the Bulls looked pretty good. The Bulls are a young team and so fatigue shouldn't be too much of a factor.

The Bulls have a very good point guard off the bench in Kirk Hinrich. Last season, when Rondo sat down, Hinrich was able to hurt the Celtics but this season, with Quisy there to defend, the Celtics may have an answer. Also, Brad Miller won't have it near as easy with Sheed as he did with Mikki Moore. Of course, Paul Pierce will have it tougher with Deng than he did with Salmons.

Should be a good game and the refs need to stay on top of it because it also should be a physical game that could get out of hand. There is no love lost between these two teams and both will be looking to make a statement in this game. The Celtics will want to prove that the Bulls were just lucky they didn't have KG and the Bulls will try to show that they are the better team and the Celtics playoff win was just lucky.

Key Matchups
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Rajon Rondo vs Derrick Rose
This will be a matchup of 2 young and exciting point guards. When last these two met, it was game 7 of the opening round of the playoffs. In that series, as the point guard went, so went the games. The more aggressive point guard won the games in that series and that will probably hold true in this one as well.

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Paul Pierce vs Luol Deng
Luol Deng guards Paul Pierce as well as almost anyone in the league. His length seems to bother Pierce and he has struggled against him in the past. Unlike in the past, when Deng bothers him on defense, Pierce can just pass off to one of his waiting teammates.

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Kendrick Perkins vs Joakim Noah
These two got into it a couple of times in the playoffs. Noah has to be one of the most irritating players in the league and he tends to get under his defenders' skin. With Perk's weight loss over the summer, he should be better able to stay with Noah.

Game Notes:
Celtics won the season series 2-1 against Chicago in 2008-09
Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 22.3 points per game last season
In his one appearance for the Bulls against the C’s, John Salmons netted 38 points
It marked the second straight season that the C’s had won the season series and the first time since the 85-86 and 86-87 seasons that they had
done so
The Celtics are leading the all-time series 107-84 with the Celtics 60-31 at home

Keys to the Game
Defense - Defense is the key to every game this season. It is one thing locking down the Bobcats and another thing entirely to lock down the Bulls. Hopefully, the Celtics defense will once again prove to be the difference maker in the game.

Home Court - The Celtics home court should give them an advantage in this one.

Rebound - The Bulls outrebounded the Spurs 52-44. The offensive rebounding edge was 15-8. The Celtics need to be sure to crash the boards and keep the Bulls from getting second chance points.

Keep Cool - The Bulls have a way of getting under players skins. This could be a physical game and we have some very combustible players. They need to keep their cool and not let the Bulls goad them into technical fouls.

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