Published on: Apr 6, 2022 4:40 pm IST|Updated on: Apr 6, 2022 4:40 pm IST
CHI vs BOS Dream11: Soon, the curtains will fall when it comes to the Regular Season, and when the curtains will be lifted again, we are going to see some high-intensity battles during the Postseason. These curtains have fallen on many teams while others are now in preparation mode for the Playoffs. Two of the teams in the Playoffs, the Chicago Bulls and the Boston Celtics will meet here in what can be a First Round Preview.
The Bulls will not finish below the sixth spot anymore and will advance to the first round, thanks to the bunch of losses suffered by the Cavaliers. However, many of their fans are annoyed right now as the sealing of sixth place doesn’t wipe out some horrible performances lately. On the other hand, the Celtics’ fanbase hasn’t been this elated since their Eastern Finals trip against Cavs a few years ago but this team looks even stronger than that. The Celtics can end up reaching the Eastern Finals again this season.
Host: Chicago Bulls Visitors: Boston Celtics Match Timing: 7 April, @ 05:30 AM Venue: United Center
Roster complexion
The Bulls suffered another harrowing loss against the Bucks as Giannis and co. steamrolled them 127:106 despite a 40 points performance by DeMar DeRozan.
It doesn’t happen often that DeMar would drop 30+ and the Bulls would lose. However, the Bulls have been terrible since the beginning of the year and ever since they have lost Lonzo, their various vulnerabilities have been exposed. While LaVine and DeRozan have kept the scoring afloat, and Vucevic despite his inconsistencies has also chipped in regularly, there are major holes in the Bulls lineup. These holes haven’t been addressed even after the arrival of Patrick Williams.
Alex Caruso has lost any remaining touch on the offensive end, and so has Coby White while Dosunmu hasn’t responded that well to the logjam at the guard position either. Williams has been doing well on both ends but lacks help on the defensive end numerous times. The Bulls have been a punching bag for elite squads in the league and that doesn’t bode well for them as they have dropped to the sixth position and facing any one of the Celtics, 76ers, or the Bucks doesn’t promote hopes in the fanbase at this point.
The Celtics made a mockery of the Wizards on both ends, steamrolling them 144:102 behind a 32-point performance by Jaylen Brown.
Unlike the Bulls, the Celtics have gotten the job done even against the elite squads in the league. They have been the best defensive team since February and as a result, they have won more than 80% of their games since that period. Their defense coupled with a highly improved offense has been spelling doomsday for some elite squads in the East. However, the injury to Robert Williams III can hurt them a bit during the Playoffs, but hey, the team still has a lot to field.
Jaylen Brown has outscored Jayson Tatum during many nights these days but Tatum will remain a huge factor in the Playoffs. This duo has figured out how to co-exist and there was a reason why the Celtics management didn’t separate them during the midseason trade deadline when the Celtics were struggling. Al Horford has been a solid defender while Marcus Smart and Derrick White form another strong defensive pairing as two Point Guards. The Celtics are loaded with defenders, playmakers, and shot creators, something that will make them one of the favorites to make it out of the East.
Boston Celtics (3rd in East) | Chicago Bulls (6th in East) Games: 79 | 79 Wins: 49 | 45 Defeats: 30 | 34
Chicago Bulls News:
Bulls Expected Starting Five Wing: SF: DeMar DeRozan Middle: C: Nikola Vucevic Guards: PG: Alex Caruso | SG: Zach LaVine (Game-Time Decision)| PG: Ayu Dosunmu
BENCH: Troy Brown Jr, JaVonte Green Tyler Cook, Patrick Williams, Coby White, Tristan Thompson, Alfonzo McKinnie, Malcolm Hill, Marko Samonovic.
Boston Celtics Team News:
Celtics Expected Starting Five Wing: SF: Jayson Tatum Middle: PF: Al Horford | C: Daniel Theis Guards: SG: Jaylen Brown | PG: Marcus Smart
BENCH: Grant Williams, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Aaron Nesmith, Sam Hauser, Bruno Fernando.
Jayson Tatum(BOS) Points: 22 Rebounds: 06 Assists: 07 Steals: 02 Blocks: 01 Swingman Tatum can afford to put up fewer shots these days with Brown popping off for big nights and he has been an all-around factor. The leading scorer for the Celtics has usually been in 21+ points, 5+ rebounds, and 5+ assists range these days. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 38-55
DeMar DeRozan(CHI) Points: 40 Rebounds: 03 Assists: 06 Steals: 01 DeRozan continues to be a huge difference-maker as a scorer but his team has not been making hay despite his stellar performances. DeRozan has gone past 30 points during many games. He is usually a candidate for Star/Pro Player in the Dream 11 NBA Fantasy scenario. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 36-58
Jaylen Brown(BOS) Points: 32 Rebounds: 07 Assists: 05 Steals: 02 Off-guard Jaylen is catching fire just at the right time for the Celtics and he has been a boisterous scorer while giving all-around production. He has mostly been in 26-32 points, 5+ rebounds, and 5-7 assists range these days. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 40-55
Nikola Vucevic(CHI) Points: 07 Rebounds: 06 Assists: 03 Steals: 01 Vucevic shot just 3/19 from the field during the last game but his rebounding, scoring and defense will be vital as the Postseason nears. He has mostly been in 16-22 points and 10-13 rebounds range. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 24-37
Al Horford(BOS) Points: 10 Rebounds: 08 Assists: 06 Steals: 01 Blocks: 01 Al’s role has increased in the wake of an injury to Robert and he has been an all-around factor throughout the season. The veteran has mostly been in 6-10 points, 6-10 rebounds, 3-6 assists, and 1-3 blocks range these days Expected Fantasy Points Range: 20-32
Zach LaVine(CHI) [Numbers from the game against Miami] Points: 33 Rebounds: 05 Assists: 02 Steals: 01 LaVine missed the last game due to an injury but has been a huge factor offensively whenever he has played. He has mostly been in 21-27 points and 3-6 rebounds range. He is a “Game-Time Decision”. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 28-44
(if Brown and Tatum play) PG: A Dosunmu SG: C White, M Smart SF: D DeRozan(PP), G Williams, J Brown PF: J Tatum(SP) C: P Williams {The above is the first-choice lineup, confused between the SP and PP between Brown, Tatum, and DeRozan}
(if Brown and Tatum don’t play but LaVine does) PG: D White SG: Z LaVine(PP), M Smart SF: D DeRozan(SP) PF: J Green C: P Williams, N Vucevic, D Theis
(if Brown, Tatum, and LaVine don’t play) PG: D White SG: M Smart SF: D DeRozan(SP), G Williams PF: J Green, A Horford C: P Williams, N Vucevic(PP), D Theis
Will it not be fun to see DeRozan catch fire on the offensive end and Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum responding in turn? In not the most encouraging piece of news for India-based NBA viewers, this game can’t be viewed on streaming platforms JIO TV and Voot, the two designated streaming services for viewers in India. So how can you catch the contest? Cut the hassle and head over to the NBA League Pass, where you can purchase the annual subscription (599 rupees per year) which provides you access to all live games while you also can catch the full game replay if you happen to miss the live stream. To learn the scores, stats, and news, go to the official website of the NBA.