Bulls-Celtics: Game 7 Preview for Greatest 1st Round NBA Playoff Series Ever
The Bulls and Celtics are engaged in one of the most competitive, entertaining, and dramatic series in the history of the NBA Playoffs.
Some people are calling it the greatest playoff series ever; others say that a first round series can never, no matter how amazing, reach such lofty status.
I say I don’t give a scalabrine. I’m having a ton of fun watching the series and I can’t wait for Game 7.
Before we discuss the series more and look ahead to the game itself, here are all of the particulars so you can properly plan your sports watching weekend:
Bulls-Celtics Game 7 Preview: Tickets and Schedule Info
- Bulls-Celtics Game 7 Location: TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, MA
- Bulls-Celtics Game 7 Date: Saturday, May 2
- Bulls-Celtics Game 7 Time: 8:00 ET
- Bulls-Celtics Game 7 TV Schedule: TNT
- Bulls-Celtics Game 7 Announcers: Kevin Harlan and Doug Collins
- Bulls-Celtics Point Spread: TBA
- Bulls-Celtics Game 7 Tickets: Click here to get Celtics-Bulls Game 7 Tickets at RazorGator
- Bulls-Celtics Game 7 Tickets: Click here to get Celtics-Bulls Game 7 Tickets at TicketsNow
- Bulls-Celtics Game 7 Tickets: Click here to get Celtics-Bulls Game 7 Tickets at Stubhub
While I am probably leaning towards rooting for the Bulls, most of all I just want to see a good, competitive game. That is what this series deserves for a Game 7. Thus far, only one game has not be ultra-competitive. Look at the rundown of games:
- Game 1: Chicago wins 105-103 (OT)
- Game 2: Boston wins 118-115
- Game 3: Boston wins 107-86
- Game 4: Chicago wins 121-118 (2OT)
- Game 5: Boston wins 106-104 (OT)
- Game 6: Chicago wins 128-127 (3 OT)
To channel my inner Dick Vitale, I mean are you serious? Four games have been decided in overtime. It’s simply been unreal.
And what has really made it fun is that a host of players who had not yet reached star level prior to the series are stepping up and playing like stars. We know about Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, two wily old vets who continue to come through in big moments, but each of the guys below has raised his national profile at least a notch with his performance in this series:
- Celtics PG Rajon Rondo – We got to know him last year during the Celtics’ title run, but he has been even better thus far in the playoffs. No longer is he the scared kid with the deer-in-the-headlights look. He is now a leader and legitimately among the top PGs in the league.
- Bulls PG Derrick Rose – The Rookie of the Year has been a quick ascendent into the fraternity of upper echelon point guards. He still plays a little out of control sometimes. but he has eyeblink quickness
and amazing composure for such a young player. - Bulls SG John Salmons – I realize this guy had some productive years in Sacramento, but I never expected his performance last night. Barkley and Kenny Smith described him as “Jordanesque”. Not sure I’d go that far, but his profile got bumped up last night.
- Celtics PF Glenn Davis – The jumpshot is better and he is much more assertive. He is beginning to look more and more like a young Karl Malone as he matures and comes into his own. If the Celtics somehow find a way to keep winning, and the Garnett loss does not lead to a premature playoff exit, KG’s void could end up being a blessing disguise as it has offered the chance for Big Baby to step up and mature as a player.
- Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro – It’s amazing how a team as young as the Bulls can be so poised against a veteran team when their coach always has a look on his face like he doesn’t know what’s going on or what he should do next. But Del Negro has to get some credit, doesn’t he? I’ll defer to Bulls fans on this one…
- Celtics White Guy Brian Scalabrine – The unsung hero of this series for chubby, out of shape, white guys everywhere (like the guy typing right now). It’s not every day during the NBA playoffs that you get to watch someone bop around out there and think to yourself, “Hey, the only difference between that guy and me is 6 or 7 inches. I could have been out there!” This kind of thinking obviously marginalizes Scalabrine’s skills and contributions, but allows those of us blessed with lead feet and belly paunch to live vicariously through our hero. Go get ‘em in Game 7 Scalabrine! You’re not just playing for the Celtics; you’re playing for every unathletic white guy with a good jumpshot who never got a chance past high school.
And there are others. Kendrick Perkins has been a solid presence for the Celtics down low, Joakim Noah came up with the play of the night last night, and Brad Miller continues to prove that he is one of the NBA’s more underrated and underappreciated players. I remember Miller took people by surprise when he got to Purdue with his all-around skills, and he just keeps on producing now a decade into his NBA career.
It’s just – and I don’t think this can be overstated – been a great, fantastic, wonderful series.
My biggest fear as a fan is that with all of the buildup that will go into Game 7, which will undoubtedly be disproportionate for a first round series, it will not be able to live up to the hype. The Celtics went to Game 7 with the young and feisty Hawks last season, and then blew their doors off at home in Game 7. Could the same thing happen Saturday night?
Of course it could, but I don’t think it will.
The one blowout in this series was the Celtics’ victory over the Bulls in Game 3 – which was played in Chicago. The Bulls won Game 1 in Boston, they lost by three in Game 2, and they lost by two in overtime in Game 5.
Clearly the Bulls are not intimidated playing Boston in the Garden.
Plus, as physically and mentally exhausted as these two teams have to be, I can’t imagine one or the other playing so much better as to force a blowout. I think we will see a knock down, drag out, terrifically intense four quarters of basketball that no one will be surprised see extend into extra frames.
That is what we have gotten in five out of the six games, and it will be a perfect, fitting end if we get it in Game 7.
The homecourt advantage makes Boston the obvious choice to win this game, and that’s who I’d go with if forced to make a prediction. But I can’t wait to watch this game with no rooting interest other than the joy and appreciation of a basketball fan. Whichever team emerges from this first round gem will have truly earned it, but may not have anything left in the tank for the Eastern Conference semifinals.
That may be the price for winning the greatest first round series in NBA Playoff history, but all that matters right now is Game 7. Bulls-Celtics. The NBA is right: it is fantastic.
What do you think?
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Who will win Game 7 between the Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics?
- Boston Celtrics (43%, 40 Votes)
- Chicago Bulls (57%, 52 Votes)
Total Voters: 92
Tags: 2009 NBA Playoffs, boston celtics, Chicago Bulls, derrick rose, NBA
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