Apr 20 2009
Bulls are capitalizing without Garnett.
Playoff basketball is here and the Bulls are taking advantage of the Boston Celtics not having Kevin Garnett healthy. Unfortunate for the Celtics but a huge plus for the Bulls, as all the pressure is on the Celts in game 2.
Paul Pierce and Ray Allen are beatable and the Bulls proved it and I wouldn’t be surpirised now if they do not just take these guys out in four or five games. The Bulls look more hungrier and more important healthier than the Celtics. Obliviously when you take Kevin Garnett, the Defensive Player of the Year last year, off of the floor it makes a huge difference.
The Bulls can really apply a lot of pressure if the Bulls start off hot in game 2. It all comes down to Derrick Rose and he should have another good game if he continues to drive the ball into the Celtic defense.
Ray Allen is the key for the Celtics because he shot terrible in game one and if he lays another egg out there the Bulls just might be up 2 games to none after tonight. Paul Pierce needs more from Raja Rondo who got lit up guarding Rose in game 1 who set a playoff rookie record scoring 36.
Kirk Heinrich will prove to be a key player this series as his defense which is always talked about around the league has already came up with some big plays. Captain Kirk has now become a veteran presence that the Bulls will need throughout this series. Tyrus Thomas may be the most athletic player on the floor, Joakin Noah was a monster on the glass in game one and Ben Gordon well, we know he can shoot but when he drives the ball as good as he did in game one the Bulls will not be an easy out for the Celtics.
Lastly, if I were Doc Rivers I would suit up Garnett now! I do not care if he is 100 percent now or for game 6 or 7 his presence alone on the court is needed as the Celtics are not the same, especially in the playoffs. Good teams take advantage of flaws and right now the Celtics have flaws and the Bulls are just exposing them like they should as a good team. If the Bulls win this game this series will be over before it has even started. A mighty shocker for the Celtics, but for the Bulls they are just taking advantage of the situation.
