Pippen Ain't Easy
Fansided

2017 NBA Playoffs, Game 3 Outlook: Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics

By Michael RENE KANOY

Apr 18, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) sets a screen against Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas (4) and forward Jae Crowder (99) to help point guard Rajon Rondo (9) during the first quarter in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 18, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) sets a screen against Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas (4) and forward Jae Crowder (99) to help point guard Rajon Rondo (9) during the first quarter in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
Jerian Grant, PG, Chicago Bulls
Feb 16, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jerian Grant (2) is defended by Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) during the first quarter at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

Jerian Grant can contribute in slowing down Isaiah Thomas

Even from the time that Jerian Grant was a Knick, he could stop Isaiah Thomas in his tracks cold. The NBA has a rule against open-lane fouls, which is what Thomas takes advantage off by timing his drives to allow him free lanes and floater opportunities.

Live Feed

NBA Expert says Cavaliers backcourt just won't work
NBA Expert says Cavaliers backcourt just won't work /

King James Gospel

  • Is taking a step back in 2023-24 inevitable for the Sacramento Kings? Sir Charles In Charge
  • WNBA standings: Resetting the race for the final playoff spots FanSided
  • How many teams make the NBA Playoffs? FanSided
  • Why are there no NBA games on Thanksgiving? FanSided
  • Los Angeles Lakers: Championships, NBA Finals appearances, history & more FanSided

    • Besides that, Thomas is a streaky deadshot from long range, so Hoiberg must assign someone to crowd his dribble space and pick his pocket. Even going back to old Knicks-Celtics matchups when Grant was a rookie last year, Grant overwhelms Thomas on defense. The entire team can glue their game on playing Thomas to disrupt his dribble pattern and shut down his passing lanes.

    Plus, with the news of Rajon Rondo’s thumb injury, Hoiberg may have no choice but to give Grant extended minutes at the point.

    Grant played well against Thomas in the Bulls’ Game 1 win, but the entire team has to key in and respond to Boston’s drop-off sets and hand-off threes. The Celtics are good enough to run their game off of long range sniping when the defense least expects it.

    Hoiberg can disrupt the Celtics’ flow by checking where the ball will swing for the attack if Thomas can’t score and have defenders like Bobby Portis and Michael Carter-Williams (for short stretches) pick off passes so the Celtics will be hard-pressed to play their game.

    It is also good to note that if the Bulls slow down Thomas again, Boston’s entire offense slows down. That makes it easier for the Bulls to extend those runs like they did in Game 2. In the regular season, the Bulls split their meetings with Boston at 2-2 and often got caught giving up too many open looks from deep.

    Jimmy Butler was responsible for most of the lockdown defense on homas II in the first two games, but he was visibly gassed by the fourth quarter of Game 2 and the team might be at a disadvantage if he tires out going into the next round. Grant should get some time as a defensive specialist on Thomas in Game 3.

    Home/Bulls News