Written by Matt Moore at CBSSports.com
CELTICS FINDING A NEW VERSION OF THEMSELVES
The Celtics’ whole identity flopped and failed in the first two games of this series. They were bullied, bodied and put out of their comfort zone. All that has flipped, and while Rajon Rondo’s injury will always loom as a possible confounding factor, their new identity matters.
Al Horford is attacking mismatches more aggressively. He’s getting destroyed inside by Robin Lopez, so he expanded to 3-point range and knocked down shots. When the Bulls went small, Horford went inside and punished the smaller defenders.
Isaiah Thomas is becoming more of a facilitator. He shot poorly (6-of-17) and only had four assists, but he also had several hockey assists and was hurting the Bulls for over-helping. For the first time in this series, it felt like Thomas was ahead of the Bulls’ game plan against him.
Avery Bradley had a monster Game 5 and is finally in his groove. He’s more aggressive, cutting, shooting, creating. He’s actually being a secondary perimeter weapon, which is what the Celtics need.
Jae Crowder is crashing the glass. Crowder had eight rebounds in Game 5 and is using his size advantage over the Bulls’ matchup options to get putbacks and and-ones. He’s still launching too many 3’s (0-for-5), but he’s also adapting his game. That’s big.
The Celtics’ formula of Thomas scoring huge and the other guys filling in wasn’t working, but they’re adjusting. Kelly Olynyk is stepping up, Terry Rozier is giving them a boost. The Bulls seem unprepared to deal with a different Celtics team.
THE BULLS ARE TERRIBLE AGAIN
At least 10 times in this game I looked up and said “Wait, how are the Bulls leading?” They just kind of hung around, like a popcorn kernel stuck on the roof of your mouth. But then in the fourth quarter, they chucked it away.
To wit:
- Jimmy Butler took just two shots in the fourth quarter, and missed them both. Dwyane Wade said after the game if he didn’t shoot, it’s because “he didn’t want to shoot.” So things are well.
- Robin Lopez and Wade both picked up technicals.
- The Bulls were outscored 29-16 in the fourth.
- Wade shot 1-of-4 with two turnovers in the fourth.
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