A pair of playoff teams from a season ago try to make up ground in this year's chase when the Chicago Bulls host the Boston Celtics on Saturday (7:30 p.m. CT | WGN/ESPN Radio 1000). The Bulls (32-40), who trail Philadelphia (33-38) by 1 1/2 games for the eighth and final postseason berth in the Eastern Conference, were the fourth seed in 2004.05. The Celtics (30-42) won the Atlantic Division last season but have struggled this year and find themselves with the unenviable task of trying to make up 3 1/2 games with only 10 contests remaining. Chicago is coming off Friday's 113-107 triumph at Charlotte. Andres Nocioni followed Tuesday's career-high 26-point effort against Orlando with 24 points against the Bobcats. Luol Deng scored 21 points and Chris Duhon added 17 of his 19 points in the second half for the Bulls, who have won three of their last four games. Boston enjoyed its easiest victory of the season Wednesday, a 123-98 rout at New York (19-52), which owns the worst record in the league. Paul Pierce and Wally Szczerbiak scored 22 points apiece for the Celtics, who led by as many as 38 points and had their best offensive output of the campaign. Tune in to watch tonight's game on the WGN Superstation or listen to it on ESPN Radio 1000 (pregame show at 7:00). Visit Bulls.com or click here now for a complete preview of this evening's contest. Probable Bulls Starters Guard 21 Chris Duhon 6-1 | 185 Guard 12 Kirk Hinrich 6-3 | 190 Forward 9 Luol Deng 6-9 | 220 Forward 5 Andres Nocioni 6-7 | 225 Center 50 Michael Sweetney 6-8 | 270 Probable Celtics Starters Guard 13 Delonte West 6-4 | 180 Guard 55 Wally Szczerbiak 6-7 | 235 Forward 34 Paul Pierce 6-6 | 230 Forward 4 Ryan Gomes 6-7 | 250 Center 45 Raef LaFrentz 6-11 | 245 Injury Report Bulls Darius Songaila (right foot fracture) is out. For a full report and the latest on Bulls' injuries, check out the AthletiCo Injury Report at Bulls.com. Celtics Al Jefferson (sprained right ankle) is questionable. Dan Dickau (ruptured right Achilles) is out. Series Notes The Bulls trail in the all-time series, 101-79, but have won four-straight over the Celtics ... the Bulls are 48-41 versus the Celtics in Chicago ... during its current four-game winning streak in the series, Chicago has scored 100+ points in all four meetings ... the Bulls captured a victory in the first meeting this season, despite Paul Pierce erupting for 43 points ... the two clubs split the four meetings in the series last season ... Chicago has not swept a season series with Boston since doing so in three consecutive seasons from 1994.95 (4-0), 1995.96 (3-0) and 1996.97 (4-0).
If we play like we did early yesterday, that would be nice. But, this time with us scoring and shooting well and stopping the other team on defense.
Fist quarter just ended where down 28-19. A couple good things about the first quarter, Sweetney provided some good minutes and scored a bundle in the first quarter. however, we are fouling like crazy the Celtics already have 11 free throw attempts. Doc Rivers has a technical for arguing with the officials over a charge foul on Pierce, and Tyson Chandler picked up a stupid foul, in which instead of staying planted outside of the restricted zone he jumped into Pierce with his arms up in the air. We are leaving Wally open and he is killing us he started off the game 3-3. Not looking good right now.
The Bulls are getting it close, but then just keep collapsing on the defensive end, giving up second chance opportunities. Deng just hit a crazy shot, and got fouled chance to cut the Celtics lead to two.
The defense is coming up huge forcing turnovers, and putting pressure on the Celtics. Deng just got a steal, and a clear path foul. Bulls up by five three minutes left. Were pulling away.
A minute away from winning. Great job by Hinrich to draw a charge, and prevent the Celtics from tieing the game up.
Do you guys notice Sweetney usually only plays in the first half since he started even though he does good? Is that because Skiles wants to bring more size with Chandler and rebounding?
Its an improvement over Eddy Curry, he only played the first quarter last year. Best Kept Secret sounds like he was getting excited in the end. lol.
Yer i'm happy sweetney is finally getting some playing time. I still wanna know why he wasn't MIA for so long... Agreed, BKS does sound like he was getting excited. We're only 1 game behind for that 8th spot. If we can beat philly both times, we're pretty much in.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting I-Miss-MJ:</div><div class="quote_post"> Best Kept Secret sounds like he was getting excited in the end. lol.</div> It was an exciting ending. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">[IMGR]http://www.nba.com/media/bulls/GordonRecap300.jpg[/IMGR]Kirk Hinrich turned up the heat in the second half. Hinrich scored 23 of his 25 points in the second half and Andres Nocioni had 12 and 11 rebounds as the Chicago Bulls rallied for a 100-94 triumph over the Boston Celtics. In overcoming an 11-point, third-quarter deficit, Chicago (33-40) pulled within one game of Philadelphia for the Eastern Conference's final playoff berth. "We have an opportunity we just have to take care of business," said Hinrich, who made 9-of-18 shots. "We feel fortunate that we have the team right in front of us twice, but we can't look ahead." Boston (30-43) fell four games back with nine contests left. "Even with the win it would have been tight," Boston coach Doc Rivers said. "But everytime we think we are out Philadelphia pulls us right back in, like the mob. But most likely we are out of it." With the game tied at 74-74 after three quarters, the Celtics opened the final period on a 12-5 surge. Paul Pierce, who scored 18 points, hit a fadeaway jumper and rookie Ryan Gomes converted a layup with 6 1/2 minutes left for an 86-79 lead. "I thought for the most part we played well," said Pierce, who shot just 4-of-17. "In the end they made the plays, Hinrich stepped up and made some big shots. Our defense we played there was good, I'd take that any night." However, the Bulls responded behind the duo of Hinrich and Luol Deng as they combined to score 10 points during a 12-0 surge over a two-minute span. "At that point we got some stops," Hinrich said. "In the first half especially we were out hustled, but right there we just picked up our play." "We were lucky to comeback and win this game," said Deng, who scored 14 points. "We didn't play to well all night but we didn't give up, especially in the last seven minutes." The Celtics had a chance to tie the game, but Tony Allen was called for charging after scoring on a fast-break layup with 75 seconds remaining. "That was the only play I had," Hinrich said. "I had to take the hit and I was lucky that it was called a charge." "The guy was not there, maybe his feet were planted but he was not standing straight up," said Boston forward Wally Szczerbiak, who scored 28 points. "Any time you are leaning back you are not taking a charge. You are not entitled to that space, Tony just took the ball to the hoop, it was a tough call." Nocioni's two free throws 13 seconds later gave Chicago a 96-92 edge. After trading baskets, Boston tried to make it a one-possession game but Pierce misfired on a 3-point attempt and Nocioni sealed the win by knocking down two more foul shots. "I missed a few wide open shots that I normally make," said Pierce, who went 0-of-4 from 3-point range. "That's just the breaks of the game, they do a great job of loading up when I get the ball." Mike Sweetney and Ben Gordon scored 14 points each for the Bulls, who shot 38 percent (29-of-76) from the field and had five players score in double figures. "After it got to seven points our guys just hung in there," said Chicago coach Scott Skiles, whose team completed the season swept. "Our guys were fatigued after last night's game, so I'm really proud of how they all battled." Allen scored 10 points off the bench and Pierce had nine assists and seven rebounds for Boston, which shot 42 percent (35-of-83) but made just 3-of-19 from the arc. "It was just back and forth game," said Szczerbiak, who made 12-of-18 shots. "It was a tough loss for us, and I thought they really got the benefit at the free throw line." </div> <div align="center"><font size=""1"">Recap l Box Score</font></div>
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Best Kept Secret:</div><div class="quote_post">It was an exciting ending. </div> I will be finding that out shortly when i watch the game.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting I-Miss-MJ:</div><div class="quote_post">I will be finding that out shortly when i watch the game.</div> Did you download it? Or was their a replay on CSN.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting I-Miss-MJ:</div><div class="quote_post">I have to download, living in Australia we dont get any Bulls games.</div> I'm in the same pickle as well. However i don't dl as many games as i'd like, I just don't have the tiem to watch em all. I also have to split my time with heat games coz wade is magical
