Would love to hear someone's thoughts, who is opposite of me on the Bulls/Celtics total...Of the 8 quarters played, 6 of them have seen 50+ points scored, and 5 of them, have seen 55+ points scored...All this, even though their has been 51 turnovers in the 1st 2 games of the series, 29 steals, and 34 blocks..The pace of the game is up tempo, both team's point guards running up and down the court pushing the ball, and without Garnet and Powe Celts cant clog the driving lanes...Teams averaged, 90, to about 100 shot attempts, in each of the 1st 2 games...This total, is way off, imo, and should be closer to 210 in Chicago..The opening line does not reflect, and has not been adjusted to the pace that these games are actually being played at...What's your reasoning behind liking the Under?
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.
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.
The thing is the Bulls haven't played defense all season, will they start now? Hard to envision...The issue of rebounding is important to the Bulls, in large part due to how many offensive rebounds they gave up to Boston in game 2...The bulls may emphasize defensive rebounding, and for a moment let's assume that they are succesful and limit the 2nd chance points of Boston...how many points will better defensive rebounding take away from the Celtic's team total in this game? Will it be enough to hold them to under 100? under 95? And what of the Bulls? Will they stray away from the up tempo offense, that has brought them success in the 2H of the season, and in the 1st 2 game of the playoffs, only to play a halfcourt game that caters to the injury plagued celtics, who are missing bigs, that otherwise clog up the paint? The pace of the series, has been fast...How much will that change in Chicago, where the Bulls play a faster game, then they do on the road? Will the Bulls score less than 100 pts in this game? Both teams taking high percentage shots from the paint, and there have been plenty of fast break opportunities..tough to imagine a drastic change in pace all of the sudden..Then again, that's why they play the game, cuz you never know what's gonna happen..Anyway, GL to everyone with money on the game
I liked the way they played game #1, and feel that the 1st home playoff should benefit them greatly. 4,5,6, 1 or 2 baskets and a few foul shoots have been deciding quite a few of these games sides and totals, I just have to hope i'm on the right side of the fence! If you are looking for logic or stats to back up my selections you won't find it, to me these playoffs are a new season and all previous numbers are trash, I have been doing thos 36 years, I've had great years and shitty years, its all about the streaks, I had quite an impressive pro football season here at the Rx last year, can't say I'll repeat but I'll try. Good Luck to you on your plays.
The Capt.
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.
Your not hijacking, all information is valuable, Thanks for the input!
The Capt.
I by no means am one to bullshit anyone and most here know me as a straight shooter, Plain and simple "it's a hunch" I think the D tightens up tonight, if I'm right I win wrong I lose, I've bet games that if you went by the numbers a certain team was sure to win, no way they could lose, what happens? They lose! Good Luck on your selection, appreciate the input, thanks.
The Capt.l
4-2 last night!
I heard the comment from a fellow poster that I play to many games, truth is I do! I am an action junkie and although I play alot of games I bet with my head not over it, in other words I only bet what I can afford to lose, not what I expect to win. Besides I really liked the Bulls last night and the over in the Dallas game! Just goes to show you, percentages do count! gOOD lUCK TO ALL TONIGHT.
I heard the comment from a fellow poster that I play to many games, truth is I do! I am an action junkie and although I play alot of games I bet with my head not over it, in other words I only bet what I can afford to lose, not what I expect to win. Besides I really liked the Bulls last night and the over in the Dallas game! Just goes to show you, percentages do count! gOOD lUCK TO ALL TONIGHT.
