2017 NBA Playoffs: 3 takeaways from Chicago Bulls taking 2-0 series lead over Celtics
By Dru Berry
The Chicago Bulls stormed into Boston and stole home-court advantage in Game 1. Could the Bulls do the improbable and head to Chicago with a 2-0 series lead?
The Bulls stomped the Boston Celtics, 111-97 on Tuesday night, and the game ended with Boston’s fans booing the hometown team. Chicago answered each run Boston made and looked unafraid to seize the moment.
So now, after barely managing to sneak into the playoffs, the Chicago Bulls carry a 2-0 series lead as they head home to Chicago. The Bulls have a solid chance to become the sixth eight seed in NBA history to win its first round series.
What is happening? For large parts of the season, the Bulls looked lifeless and incapable of playing high-level basketball. Now, the team looks perhaps the best it has at any point this season.
Even better, it’s actually fun to watch this version of the Chicago Bulls play. The energy is up across the board and Fred Hoiberg‘s tightened rotations have worked out nicely. This is a team that legitimately looks good together and Rajon Rondo deserves a lot of credit for that.
Not only that, but Chicago received another big assist from a bench player. This time it was Paul Zipser stepping into the fold and asserting himself to pick up the bench’s slack.
The Bulls and Celtics don’t square off again until Friday, but here’s three takeaways from Game 2 to tide you over until then.