The Celtics finally came to play defensively in Game 3, and as a result, they held the Bulls to 37 percent shooting. Look for another fine defensive performance and an Under here.
With the Boston Celtics leading the series 2-1 vs. the Chicago Bulls, this is a critical game for both teams this afternoon in Chicago.
The Celtics tough defense was a key factor in the win in Chicago Thursday night. They held the Bulls to just 37 percent shooting from the floor and forced 22 turnovers. The main culprit was Derrick Rose with seven turnovers, and the rookie struggled, shooting just 4-14 from the floor. The rookie point guard has slowly started to teeter off since his 36 point Game 1 performance.
The Celtics are an underdog today and a nice tidbit is the Under has cashed in eight of their last 10 playoff games as an underdog. The Under also has cashed tickets in six of the last seven meetings in Chicago between the two. Expect a different game today than the first two games in Boston. It should be a lot grittier and the Celtics defense should be at the same level of intensity as the last meeting. As history shows during the mid-point in these playoff series teams start figuring each other out and the scoreboard doesn't light up as often as the opening games.
Derrick Rose is a key factor to this team, and Rondo and the Celtics may have rattled his confidence slightly these past two games. It's hard to run the offense when your young point guard is struggling. The Celtics may have found the key to slowing down the Bulls, they have dropped their past four games putting up 90 points or less and we expect them to try to clamp down again today.
We'll play Under 200 when the Bulls and Celtics square off in Game 4.
Free Pick: Celtics, Bulls Under 200 (-110)