Not to hijack the thread but decent read from the Globe that may conclude some to an under. I think both coaches emphasize defense and rebounding. Chicago is going to try to protect the glass on their end and may sacrifice some running for defensive rebounding. They will also try to limit Rondo running.
Points not well taken
Del Negro thinks defense essential
By Daniel I. Dorfman, Globe Correspondent | April 23, 2009
DEERFIELD, Ill. - Prominent among the questions about Game 3 is whether the scoreboard will be lighting up in the United Center the way it did in Boston.
Because of monster performances by Derrick Rose, Ben Gordon, Rajon Rondo, and Ray Allen, there has been a paucity of defense in this first-round series.
"We're not happy with the number of points we are giving up," Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro said yesterday. "They're not, either, but that is the way the series is going."
However, forward John Salmons said after practice he thought a different type of game will be played tonight.
"I think the more times you play each other, the lower the score will become because you are more familiar with each other," he said. "Everybody knows each other's moves."
But his coach was taking more of a wait-and-see approach.
"Every game is different, every game causes different adjustments and matchups," Del Negro said. "The Celtics can play either way; they are world champions for a reason. They can play slowly, they can play fast. They have proven that throughout the year."
Del Negro said the key to victory will be under the boards.
"It will come down to who is rebounding the ball," he said. "If we can control the glass and use our athleticism in the open court, I think we can put some pressure on them."
Specifically, Del Negro knows his team will have to hold down Rondo, who torched the Bulls in the first two games despite a sprained right ankle.
"We have to control him in transition," Del Negro said. "When we turn the ball over, he is a one-man fast break. We are going to try and limit him the best we can, but he is playing at a high level. His rebounds and assists are what is killing us right now. We have to try and keep him off the glass and pay more attention to him."
At the same time, the Bulls are aware Paul Pierce can erupt. "We just have to try to continue to keep a hand in his face and [force him to] take as many contested shots as possible," Salmons said. "For the most part, I think we have been doing that and now we have to stick with it."
Budding Rose
Rose was the runaway winner as Rookie of the Year. Forward Joakim Noah marveled at the way the Chicago native performed this season, both on and off the court.
"I think there are very few people in the NBA who can do what he did this year," Noah said. "Tell me about another No. 1 pick who got to play in their hometown, especially in a big city with so many distractions as Chicago, and do what he was able to do this year with the maturity level. He is all about one thing, and that is winning basketball games."
Salmons enduring
Salmons has been hobbled with a sore groin since the end of the regular season. Del Negro said it is not getting any better and Salmons will have to try to play through the pain . . . The United Center is expected to be a sea of red tonight as the Bulls have been encouraging fans to wear red to all playoff games.
Not to hijack the thread but decent read from the Globe that may conclude some to an under. I think both coaches emphasize defense and rebounding. Chicago is going to try to protect the glass on their end and may sacrifice some running for defensive rebounding. They will also try to limit Rondo running.
Points not well taken
Del Negro thinks defense essential
By Daniel I. Dorfman, Globe Correspondent | April 23, 2009
DEERFIELD, Ill. - Prominent among the questions about Game 3 is whether the scoreboard will be lighting up in the United Center the way it did in Boston.
Because of monster performances by Derrick Rose, Ben Gordon, Rajon Rondo, and Ray Allen, there has been a paucity of defense in this first-round series.
"We're not happy with the number of points we are giving up," Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro said yesterday. "They're not, either, but that is the way the series is going."
However, forward John Salmons said after practice he thought a different type of game will be played tonight.
"I think the more times you play each other, the lower the score will become because you are more familiar with each other," he said. "Everybody knows each other's moves."
But his coach was taking more of a wait-and-see approach.
"Every game is different, every game causes different adjustments and matchups," Del Negro said. "The Celtics can play either way; they are world champions for a reason. They can play slowly, they can play fast. They have proven that throughout the year."
Del Negro said the key to victory will be under the boards.
"It will come down to who is rebounding the ball," he said. "If we can control the glass and use our athleticism in the open court, I think we can put some pressure on them."
Specifically, Del Negro knows his team will have to hold down Rondo, who torched the Bulls in the first two games despite a sprained right ankle.
"We have to control him in transition," Del Negro said. "When we turn the ball over, he is a one-man fast break. We are going to try and limit him the best we can, but he is playing at a high level. His rebounds and assists are what is killing us right now. We have to try and keep him off the glass and pay more attention to him."
At the same time, the Bulls are aware Paul Pierce can erupt. "We just have to try to continue to keep a hand in his face and [force him to] take as many contested shots as possible," Salmons said. "For the most part, I think we have been doing that and now we have to stick with it."
Budding Rose
Rose was the runaway winner as Rookie of the Year. Forward Joakim Noah marveled at the way the Chicago native performed this season, both on and off the court.
"I think there are very few people in the NBA who can do what he did this year," Noah said. "Tell me about another No. 1 pick who got to play in their hometown, especially in a big city with so many distractions as Chicago, and do what he was able to do this year with the maturity level. He is all about one thing, and that is winning basketball games."
Salmons enduring
Salmons has been hobbled with a sore groin since the end of the regular season. Del Negro said it is not getting any better and Salmons will have to try to play through the pain . . . The United Center is expected to be a sea of red tonight as the Bulls have been encouraging fans to wear red to all playoff games.
