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

Making the C’s work hard for shot attempts

The Bulls inherently have an advantage over Boston because Brad Stevens plays his bigs based off a perimeter-oreinated offense who just attack the lane to mix things up. That leaves the paint wide open for rebounds, both offensive and defensive.

In the first two games of the series, the Bulls owned the paint with Robin Lopez being the fourth Alpha and having a monster game. Nikola Mirotic and Paul Zipser both got good lane penetration in Game 2 with the Celtics scrambling to cover Butler and the other Bulls open.

The Bulls can withstand the Celtics if they get their offense going in the paint instead of trying to outshoot the C’s from long range.

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If the Celtics can sustain their passing in this series, it will be what helps them defeat any other team down the line (if they advance) by getting quick threes in bunches. They play a college game that is ported into the NBA as a fourth quarter comeback run, but with the game being slower in the playoffs, other teams immediately know what’s coming from them. That strategy might not be as effective, as they were unable to come back in Game 1 and got blown out in Game 2.

The key is to play the opponent for a pass 75 percent of the time, even when Thomas goes to the rim. Play the Celtics offense for the pass. This is something that Rajon Rondo was able to do all game long instead of gluing on Thomas and tiring himself out. It also goes back to Grant being that tough, hard-nosed specialist who can spell Butler by staying in Thomas’ dribble space.