A key matchup to watch for the showdown between the Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics is at the one with Kyrie Irving and Kris Dunn.
In the latter portion of back-to-back games for the Chicago Bulls, there’s an interesting opportunity for this team to actually build a winning streak. Entering the All-Star Break, the Chicago Bulls were one of the bottoming teams in the Eastern Conference.
On Feb. 22, the Chicago Bulls pulled off the seemingly tall task of getting a victory on the road out of the All-Star Break over the Orlando Magic by the slim margin of just one point. The Bulls entered that contest as 8.5-point underdogs, so this team overcame some pretty bleak odds to start off the weekend.
All in all, this is a huge weekend for the Chicago Bulls with a back-to-back set of games against two playoff contenders in the East in the Magic and Celtics. But, the Bulls do return home to the United Center on Feb. 23 for the second leg of this back-to-back to face off against star point guard Kyrie Irving and the Celtics.
As one of the true title contenders in the East this season, the Celtics have a lot to play for. The Chicago Bulls meanwhile do not. What the Bulls could prove in this game is that the young trio this franchise is hoping can pan out is coming together nicely.
The future of the Chicago Bulls through most of the regular season rested with the trio that encompassed rookie center Wendell Carter Jr., power forward Lauri Markkanen, and point guard Kris Dunn. Newly acquired small forward Otto Porter Jr. is also important for this team along with high-flying shooting guard Zach LaVine.
However, Dunn could be the player to watch against the Celtics on this crucial Saturday in the East. He has the tall task of trying to defend one of the most gifted offensive guards in the East with Irving.
So far this season, Irving is having one of his better seasons in the NBA. He registered more than 23.0 points per game and a player efficiency rating roughly at 25.0, which sits clearly among the team leaders for the Celtics among the regular rotation players.
The last outing for Irving and the Celtics saw him post 22 points and five assists in a one point loss at the hands of the Milwaukee Bucks. He missed the two games previous to that. Dunn posted just eight points, three assists, and two rebounds in the one point victory over the Magic.
Not only will this be a defensive test for Dunn, Kyrie is going to have a tougher time on the offensive end than he does most nights. In his last two outings against the Bulls, Irving was held to no more than 17 points which is not common for a player with his scoring prowess. This is definitely a matchup worth watching on Feb. 23.