NBA Playoffs 2017: Celtics vs. Bulls game 4 live stream
By Noah Torr
Here’s what you need to know before the Boston Celtics take on the Chicago Bulls at 6:30 p.m. ET.
This series between the Bulls and Celtics has been a serious roller coaster. The one word to describe the series is crazy. There is no explanation for the Bulls playing the way they are. No one could have predicted that Rajon Rondo’s thumb injury would be a game changer, that Gerald Green would start in a game that could have decided the series and that the Celtics role players would have shown up. None of this has gone according to anyone’s predictions.
The Boston Celtics shook up their starting lineup last week and started Green over Amir Johnson and it surprisingly worked in Boston’s favor. Green brought the energy that the starting five was lacking. Therefore, Brad Stevens may very well go with Green again today. The starting five should be Isaiah Thomas at point guard, Avery Bradley at shooting guard, Jae Crowder at small forward, Green at power forward, and Al Horford at center. The Celtics are looking to capitalize on their success from this small ball lineup and go up 3-2 on the Bulls.
The Chicago Bulls could be in trouble. Jimmy Butler did not perform as well as the Bulls would have hoped for and Rajon Rondo’s status hasn’t changed. The Bulls will roll with Jerian Grant at point guard, Dwyane Wade at shooting guard, Butler at small forward, Nikola Mirotic at power forward and Robin Lopez at center. The Bulls split minutes between Grant and Michael Carter-Williams last game so expect that to happen again today. Cameron Payne will get garbage-time minutes but nothing more.