Even after the Boston Celtics dropped the first two
games of their Eastern Conference playoff series against the
Chicago Bulls, coach Brad Stevens wouldn't let his players drop
their heads.
Stevens kept telling his team that finding a way to maintain an
even keel -- even in the face of adversity -- would be key. Now,
after three consecutive victories, Boston finds itself one win away
from advancing out of the first round for the first time in
Stevens' tenure.
The Celtics hope to carry the momentum of their 108-97 victory
Wednesday night into Game 6, which will be played at the United
Center tonight. Boston surged to victory Wednesday by
ending the game on a 20-4 run despite seeing its leading scorer,
guard Isaiah Thomas, shoot 6-for-17 from the field and 1-of-10 from
3-point range.
And yet, the Celtics found a way to play through it.
"It's kind of been the story of our team, being able to fight
through adversity," guard Avery Bradley said after matching Thomas
with 24 points in Game 5. "No matter what we go through, we would
overcome it, and I think it's this group of guys, our coaching
staff -- we believe. We believe in one another."
Now the Celtics, who have already won a pair of games in Chicago,
believe they can close out the series and advance. Should the Bulls
win for the first time in three tries on their home floor, the
series would shift back to Boston for a deciding Game 7 on Sunday
night.
While the Celtics have all the momentum after three double-digit
victories, the Bulls will make a final push at extending the
series. Chicago has been rudderless since losing veteran point
guard Rajon Rondo, who fractured his thumb in Game 2 -- the last
time the Bulls won. After sitting out the past three games, Rondo
remains a long shot to return for Game 6, although there has been
speculation that he could be back at some point son.
Rondo told reporters Wednesday that he likely won't play again as
his fractured thumb hasn't improved.
"I knew last week it wasn't going to be fixed in a week," Rondo
said, according to the Chicago Tribune. "My finger is broken."
Rondo or no Rondo, the reality remains the same for the Bulls: They
are running out of time.
After taking a lead into the fourth quarter of Game 5 when Jimmy
Butler beat the buzzer with a basket, Chicago's collapse in the
final 12 minutes again demonstrated a team that is fading.
The Bulls erased 20-point deficits in Games 3 and 4 before Boston
surged ahead to capture victories. Although Chicago didn't fall
into the same sort of hole on Wednesday night, the Bulls again
couldn't muster enough to pull out of win. And now, they are one
loss from seeing their season end.
The attitude, according to Butler, is a simple one.
"Win at all costs," Butler said after Wednesday's loss. "That
should be motivation enough, to know that if we don't win this next
game, we ain't playing no more this season."
Tonight's game can be heard on Good Time Oldies 1060 with the Pre-Game Show at 6:30.
