<div align="center"> <font color=""DarkGreen"">Boston Celtics </font> @ <font color=""DarkRed"">Chicago Bulls </font> Time: Saturday, Dec. 17, 7:30pm vs. Celtics TV:NBALP, WGN Superstation <font color="DarkRed">Chicago Bulls</font> <font size=""1""><font color=""DarkRed"">PG</font>- Chris Duhon <font color=""DarkRed"">SG</font>- Kirk Hinrich <font color=""DarkRed"">SF</font>- Luol Deng <font color=""DarkRed"">PF</font>- Andres Nocioni <font color=""DarkRed"">C</font>- Michael Sweetney</font> <font size=""1"">Coach: Scott Skiles</font> ____________________________ <font size=""1""><font color=""darkgreen"">PG</font>- Delonte West <font color=""darkgreen"">SG</font>-Ricky Davis <font color=""darkgreen"">SF</font>-Paul Pierce <font color=""darkgreen"">PF</font>- Raef Lafrentz <font color=""darkgreen"">C</font>- Kendrick Perkrins</font> <font size=""1"">Coach: Doc Rivers</font> </div> <ul><font color="DarkRed">Free Throw Shooting</font> in order to be successful tonight the Bulls will need to shoot their free throws well. This is really a key for success every night it hold especially true tonight due to the fact the Bulls are coming off a game where they shot under 60 percent from the line and lost by over 20 points. It is also key that they get to the line as well last night no one on the team attempted more than three free throws. Free throws are a thing that can get a player who is struggling with his shot, Ben Gordon for exampling, going again and give him confidence when he is shooting poorly from the field. This season has really been though for Gordon specifically, because more teams have paid attention to him, and have really stopped him from getting to the basket, to shoot his owe so famous tear drop shots. He is a great player though and will be looking for him in particular to attack the basket tonight.[/list] <ul><font color="DarkRed">Ball Control</font> the Bulls have struggled with turnovers over the last two contests they have turned the ball over several more times than they usually do. Though they have played some great defensive teams (last year’s eastern conference finals) they need to be aware of where they are on the court, and how they are dribbling the ball. If it was simple aggressiveness in attacking the basket which was leading to these extra turnovers it would be understandable, but several of them have been simple because of lack of focus.[/list] <ul><font color="DarkRed">Ball Movement</font> Jannero Pargo recently, due to increased playing time, has done a good job of moving the ball around when he is on the court Which is a surprise since last year he was known more as a scorer than anything else. However, we need everyone to start passing the ball more, and finding the open man.[/list] <div align="center"></div> <ul><font color="DarkGreen">Fast Break Points</font> the Pistons out scored the Bulls 18-3 on the fast break buckets last night. If the Celtics can do the same they will have a great chance of coming out of Chicago with a win. It is easier said then done though since I am sure Skiles will make it a point of emphasis before the team takes the court. Which is why the Celtics have to remain focused, and be aggressive.[/list] <ul><font color="DarkGreen">Post Presence</font> the Celtics will need to dish the ball in to players like Jefferson, Blount, and Perkins as much as they can tonight the Bulls inside defense has really been well soft so far this season. The depth or lack their of in the Bulls front court has caused their players to play timid and shy away from contact. The team really does not have a enforcer type player like they had last year with Antonio Davis who is not afraid to give a hard foul. So attacking the basket would be a good idea if you were the Celtics.[/list] <div align="center"></div> The Bulls have done a pretty respectable job of winning games they are suppose to win this season, excluding the Knicks game, so I have a lot of confidence in them tonight. The Celtics are a great talented young team, with some very athletic players in Paul Pierce and Ricky Davis, Their size will present a big match up problem for the Bulls back court. That has been the one of the story lines for the Bulls almost every game this season; though, so I am not sure how big a factor it really is. I think this game will be close, but the Bulls will pull through in the end and win. The Bulls have yet to have that “big” winning streak this season so winning this game might be the start of something.
Games looking good right now, the Bulls are doing well. Sweetney's had a few nice and easy baskets. Hopefully he can keep that up in the 2nd half.
Nice effort so far up by over 20 points in the third quarter. Michael Sweetney came to play tonight he is shooting over 70% and has 17 points to lead us in scoring. We are stroking the ball well shooting over 50% from the field. However, we are still struggling with our free throws only 61% from the strip. It does not look like it is going to make a difference tonight, but if we intend on making a run in the playoffs we need to improve in that area.
We are knocking down 3's like it's nothing! The 3rd quarter was great. Was like 9-10 from three point.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Michael Sweetney brutalized the Boston Celtics in the paint and Chris Duhon burned them from the arc. Sweetney scored a season-high 24 points and Duhon added 22 as the hot-shooting Chicago Bulls rolled to a 118-86 victory over the Celtics, who have lost four of their last five games. Sweetney and Duhon bounced back from Friday's 110-82 setback at Detroit in which they combined for just 20 points. They took out their frustrations on Boston, which has lost five of its last seven matchups with Chicago. Sweetney shot 10-of-13 from the field and grabbed seven rebounds. Duhon shot a blistering 6-of-7 from 3-point range and dished out eight assists. Chicago, which ended a four-game home skid, held a 51-42 halftime lead and blew open the game in the third quarter, scoring 39 points to push the advantage to 90-63. Andres Nocioni and Darius Songaila each scored 16 points and Ben Gordon had 13 off the bench for the Bukll, who shot 60 percent (43-of-72) overall. Ricky Davis scored 21 points and Paul Pierce had 20 but were the only two Celtics in double figures. </div> <div align="center"><font size=""1"">Recap l Box Score l Standings</font></div>
