Back in late January, nobody could have envisioned the scene from late Tuesday at TD Garden. The 35-year-old Wade is coming off a 22-point performance in which he scored 16 in the second half. But it's Rajon Rondo who's at the forefront of Boston's mind. Game 3 of the best-of-seven series is in Chicago on Friday.
The Bulls lead the series 2-0.
Thomas played in the first two games of the Celtics' first-round playoff series with the Bulls, then flew to Washington to be with his family on Wednesday.
They also are emboldened by what they have overcome. Yes, the Bulls took care of business in Boston in ways they didn't even think possible, according to Dwyane Wade. Surgery won't be needed, the team said. "Everyone did it together". A major contributor to the victory was Butler who led the Bulls in scoring with 30 points, while also defending Boston's best player, Isaiah Thomas.
If the Celtics switch, it puts Isaiah Thomas on Butler, an obvious mismatch.
Boston fell to just 14-4 in Game 2 at home following a loss in Game 1.
Game 2: Thunder at Rockets, 5 p.m. Playoff Rondo is gone, but Point Butler could be here to save the day.
And it's doing nothing to slow the growing possibility that, if Wade opts in, the Three Alphas, against all odds, could be back for another season. He finished with 12 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists in his first playoff return to Boston after helping them win a NBA Title in the '07-'08 season.
Bruins defenseman Colin Miller expected to play in Game 4
Unfortunately for Ryan, a couple of hand and finger injuries hampered his 16-17 campaign and he missed 20 total games for Ottawa. We can probably assume they were not words of wisdom or inspiration. "Once they called it, it's our job to kill".
Smart played 27 minutes in the 111-97 loss, finishing with 13 points, eight rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks.
But Rondo is proving the biggest revelation. "I just try to lock in and.do what I can for my team".
"I have not heard from the league about it", Stevens said Wednesday afternoon, via Masslive.
Said Rondo: "For the playoffs, for me in particular, you get a couple extra days of rest for the body". "It's not easy to come into a new team right after training camp, get hurt (Carter-Williams injured his knee and wrist early in November and was sidelined for almost two months), and then when you come back you're out of the rotation". The tempo of the game was never in question with Rondo on the court. Now the underdogs are looking to become just the fifth No. 8 seed to take down the top team in National Basketball Association playoff history.
"We're alright, man", Butler said. "But that hate is that respect". We've got some really good players, some really talented guys that are gonna have to lock in the way he did. He messes up your first option.
"For me and Jimmy to have someone who is so locked in, that gives us a different voice". He's watching film all the time. It's one of the reasons why Knicks point guard Stephon Marbury wasn't told of his dad's death while he played against the Phoenix Suns. Our job was easy.
Smart just hung his head while waiting for a Bulls player to shoot free throws. Instead, their focus has to be on one thing and one thing only - winning tonight's game.
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