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2017 NBA Playoffs: Chicago Bulls at Boston Celtics – 3 Takeaways

By Alex Kirschenbaum

Apr 16, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) is surrounded by Chicago Bulls including forward Bobby Portis (5) and guard Dwyane Wade (3) during the fourth quarter of the Chicago Bulls 106-102 win over the Boston Celtics in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) is surrounded by Chicago Bulls including forward Bobby Portis (5) and guard Dwyane Wade (3) during the fourth quarter of the Chicago Bulls 106-102 win over the Boston Celtics in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 16, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) goes to the basket past Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) and center Kelly Olynyk (41) during the third quarter in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) goes to the basket past Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) and center Kelly Olynyk (41) during the third quarter in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /

Jimmy Getting Buckets

The Bulls’ lone All-Star, Jimmy Butler, had a quiet offensive first half, scoring just seven points, but he chipped in six boards and used his length and size to bug Boston’s offense.

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    • In the second half though, he proved why he absolutely, under no circumstances, should be traded away from the Chicago Bulls this summer. He is a beast.

    He scored 23 much-needed points in the second half, pouring in offense every which way: off-balance floaters, tough tear-drop jumpers, pull-up triples (on the night, he was 3-for-5 from long range) and free throws. In 40 minutes, Butler scored 30 points (on 9-for-19 shooting from the field). He also had nine rebounds, three assists, one steal and one emphatic block. Yes, he had a few clumsy turnovers.

    Okay, okay, he had five clumsy turnovers. Nobody’s perfect.

    Free throws of course are typically Jimmy G. Buckets’ bread and butter for goosing his point totals and last night was no exception. Butler made nine of his 12 attempts at the line. His final two free throws were actually the dagger last night, as he extended the Bulls’ lead to a comfortable four-point (i.e. two-possession) margin with 3.3 seconds remaining in regulation.

    Jimmy Butler certainly crushed one little boy’s dreams in that moment, at least. And really, isn’t that what playing basketball on the road should be all about? Upsetting small children?

    No?

    Okay, fine. Moving right along.

    After a beastly 13-point showing in the first quarter, Rajon Rondo handled Isaiah Thomas well enough, though the micro-All-Star still had 33 points by the end of the night. Butler finally started covering him more in the fourth quarter and though Thomas’ speed occasionally gave the swingman fits, JGB used his wingspan to his advantage.

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