2017 NBA Playoffs: 3 takeaways from Chicago Bulls taking 2-0 series lead over Celtics
By Dru Berry
Robin Lopez continued his dominance over Boston
Robin Lopez is doing whatever he wants on the glass against whatever big Boston tries to throw at him. Lopez grabbed eight offensive rebounds and played a huge part in Chicago’s win on Sunday. Lopez came out again on Tuesday and did the same thing.
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Chicago did not dominate Boston on the glass in this game the way they usually have this season. While the Bulls still out-rebounded the Celtics, both teams finished with 11 offensive rebounds. Chicago only mustered one offensive rebound in the second half.
However, Lopez was everywhere and will remain in Al Horford’s nightmares. Lopez grabbed four of his five offensive rebounds in the first half, just tearing them away from Horford and Amir Johnson. It continues to be clear that Boston doesn’t have an answer for Lopez and it will be interesting to see what coach Brad Stevens tries to do to remedy that situation.
Moreover, Lopez looked like DeMar DeRozan from the mid-range. Lopez finished with 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting, with six made jumpers in his beloved mid-range zones. The Celtics were content to let him take that shot and he kept burying it.
If whoever is guarding Lopez starts to stay attached to his hip in that mid-range area, it may open up more driving space for Jimmy Butler to attack the rim.