| 2009 NBA Playoffs: Boston Celtics vs Chicago Bulls Game 5 |
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| Written by Scott Burgess | |||||||
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Tuesday, 28 April 2009
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 The Boston Celtics are back at home tonight, April 28, where they’ll go head to head with the Chicago Bulls in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference playoffs. The best of seven series is split at two apiece, while the Celtics went 3-0 during last year’s Game 5’s. NBA oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com have the Celtics as -7.5 point home favs over the Bulls with the over/under set at 199 points. Be sure to get your 2009 NBA Playoffs Boston Celtics vs Chicago Bulls Prediction in now at Sportsbook.comThe Bulls two victories over the Celtics came in overtime and it’s going to take another monster effort to win again in Boston. But, the Bulls received word that Ben Gordon had tweaked his hamstring in Game 4 and a MRI confirmed this, but he says he’ll play. Gordon has averaged 24.8 ppg against the Celtics. In Game 4 their top producers were Derrick Rose with 23pts 9 assists 11 rebounds, while Ben Gordon added 22pts and John Salmons had 20pts. As a team they shot 48.4% from the field, 41.7% from the arch and 74.3% from the line. The Bulls also got 50pts in the paint compared to the Celtics 36pts. The Bulls already have a good read on the Celtics after three lengthy games. “Ray Allen gets (his shot) up so quick, it's tough," said Kirk Hinrich, who added 18pts off the bench Sunday. "Rondo is constantly getting in the paint, and Paul Pierce is one of the best scorers in the league.” It's tough, but they definitely do a good job of screening. In the playoffs, you get away with a little more with the screens. You just have to be tough enough to get through it and still be able to challenge shots." During the regular season the Bulls averaged 100.5 ppg on the road and give up an average 105 ppg. The Celtics had a great effort from their NEW Big three. Paul Pierce was their top scorer with 29pts, while Ray Allen added 28pts and Rajon Rondo had 25pts 11 assists and 11 rebounds. As a team they shot 42.1% from the field, 43.55 from the arch and 87.5% from the line. The Celtics want to be more forceful on defense. Coach Doc Rivers felt they switched off the men they were guarding too often in Game 4 "we can't make up our own defenses on the fly," Rivers said. And they didn't foul when it would have helped. Now the Celtics will be playing before friendly fans. They feel they're in good enough shape to recover from Sunday's tiring effort. They know they're just two overtime losses from having swept the best-of-seven series and resting for the second round. And now that they're home, they hope more calls will go in their favor. "I'm expecting all the calls to go against us" on the road, Perkins said, but "we still should have won the game." During the regular season the Celtics average 104.8 ppg at home and give up an average 95.1 ppg. They went 3-0 in last year’s Game 5’s. Recent Trends to Consider:
2009 NBA Playoffs Boston Celtics vs Chicago Bulls When: Tue, April 28, 2009 7:00 PM ET Line: Sportsbook.com Pick: Bulls +7.5 Point-Spreads.com 2009 NBA Playoffs Boston Celtics vs Chicago Bulls The Bottom Line: The Bulls might not win but I’m confident that they’ll cover the spread. The might get the win depending on Gordon and Rose. Go Bulls! Be sure to get your 2009 NBA Playoffs Boston Celtics vs Chicago Bulls Prediction in now at Sportsbook.com. and receive a 10% sign-up bonus on your initial deposit                        |
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| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 28 April 2009 ) | |||||||