Celtics – Bulls

The Boston Celtics host the Chicago Bulls in Game 5, as the series returns to Boston tied at 2-2. In a shocking turn of events, neither team was able to win at home so far.

The Celtics (1st seed) fell down 0-2 losing both matches in Boston, and it was beginning to look like a shock exit of the 1st seed against the 8th seed, something you see maybe once every 10 years. However, Boston bounced back to win the next two matches in Chicago and will now return at home confident of regaining a foothold on the series.

Chicago (8th seed) looked really well in the first two matches in Boston, but after starting PG Rajon Rondo got injured late in Game 2, the Bulls could not replicate the same level of play. They got blown out in Chicago by 17 and 9 points respectively, unable to hit shots or to keep Boston at bay defensively.

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Team news: It has just been announced that Rajon Rondo will miss a 3rd straight game for the Bulls. Initially there was a chance he could play and that`s why I posted this preview later than usual, but now he has been officially ruled out.

Without Rondo, Chicago just isn`t the same team in this series and doesn`t seem to have an answer for Boston, especially with his absence impacting the game of others as well. Maybe the main reason for Chicago’s great start of the series was Robin Lopez being able to clearly outplay Boston’s Al Horford, but Horford played much better in the last two games and Lopez is not the same player without Rajon Rondo running the show.

What’s more, Boston’s bad start was clearly impacted by the tragedy of their All Star Isaiah Thomas, who lost his sister in a car accident. He was clearly heartbroken and could not lead the team like he usually does. Isaiah starting playing better as time passed, he was terrific in Game 4 and the morale of the team has improved.

Fact is that this is a match between the 1st seed and the 8th seed in the East, with Boston obviously being the better side. They are the more confident and in form team after what happened in Chicago – and you could see the Bulls starting to break down mentally after losing their 2-0 lead, acting like sore losers in the press conference following Game 4.

Arguably the 3 main reasons for which Chicago won the first two games (Rondo, Lopez outplaying Horford and Boston’s poor morale) are not there anymore. The only thing Chicago still has going for them is their superior playoff experience, but the effect of that seems to have evaporated after the first couple of games.

It seems logical to expect Boston dominating again and getting a 10+ point win. My tip is Boston to cover the 8 point handicap. Prediction: Boston Celtics – Chicago Bulls 112 – 98.

Pick: Celtics -8
Odds: 2.01 @ 18Bet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 8.08
Event date: 27 April