Celtics Continue Road Trip in Chicago Looking for 10th Straight Win
at 
Saturday, December 12
8:00 PM ET
Game #23, Away Game #12
TV: CSNNE, CSN6, RTV, NBA TV
Radio: WEEI, WMVP
United Center
Referees: Tom Washington | James Capers | Olandis Poole
It is safe to say that after last year's epic playoff series between these two teams, there is no love lost between them. The Bulls remember all too well that 7 game series and they feel that they should have won it. Noah said that he circled the Celtics' games when the schedule came out. I'm sure Brad Miller remember Rondo every time he looks at the scars that Rondo left him.
The Celtics and Bulls are two teams who have been going in opposite directions. The Celtics are 9-1 in their last 10 games and have won 9 in a row. The Bulls are 2-8 in their last 10 games. The Bulls are playing in the second of back to back games, having beat the Warriors on Friday night. The Celtics had a day of rest but are in the middle of a 3 game road trip.
The Bulls have a starting quality PG coming off their bench and so the Celtics will very much miss Marquis Daniels in this one. Tony, Scal, Eddie, Sheed and Shelden will all have to step up to make up for his absence. The Bulls may be slumping but they can be dangerous if the Celtics don't take them seriously.
Probable Starting Matchups
Point Guard
![[image]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vWTHfq8q7DwvJi1b3flMIfrl0x30ifmYQ-Z_fWaZLKqXNXr8Of0kHnkVhAbHjrOhbz6TDhOJiBcc4dL-zVg9gEwGoHHBY_DoFuviwVey8E3zMIaROVgbnvJTDow8FHhBDM4A=s0-d)
vs ![[image]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uuvMOAWgyc0YiYd8txH9zY11VVV41se6d2Y5rNJv_9EmB1tjV88ytSEy20tBLtvbmVpo4_v8okB4x9ghNWQ4mC6rxC39vXI-e-1HWidJA8JO0RPIr75dupcBzLeHYnOKXkfw=s0-d)
Rajon Rondo vs Derrick Rose
Shooting Guard
![[image]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_t6GA6MmCUyna2Uflr6a4OyzAUSGRK-wDd2_JMDpP2MY_An56ss9EK7agQWIcU9p_B-YMKaaHdvuOZ_0e54iW-Ws5V5zbhPwR1nG7Z0a0iw7bOwZZpQlMRLi9mWUkj0O-iMog=s0-d)
vs ![[image]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uvQmnmy1zB2ENMOpevhldFJBBOBcyJv0Cvt8lHx9ZkW2oztvG8DQ44eBJ2j2QEu8HOntLiHeVKmRJPEEsz14BS4wG9PrMV6aea7If9Tn6ppW862WjG8NFY2ak=s0-d)
Ray Allen vs John Salmons
Small Forward
![[image]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vW2R_au7H3l_LKin2GGcSHb8F2Nbztqez5P8TxlpIKenTi9gZb6TOkBSKoiNmXktPsUecWjNIFvewawldjxLTdbMHzXAirh4CwDHUhxokPpKQZYm2v6JtJxZrxk0_pVT4ThQ=s0-d)
vs ![[image]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_skjhMuKOgESSpIS0ic7Fp1xScWZeGWe-zIbDN60x9MbuHJxJpBEK3Lg8v1tMXyCkdN9JBE7sRpGo5pey709JGGsTvdAm-M_oL_Zj0kFBqTJTSTNuoLmlipPguR=s0-d)
Paul Pierce vs Luol Deng
Power Forward
![[image]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_sUoKJPVB8pPj-kHFRXRSEZDIeI9feg0vUnX72e92p1H3RVmxMQjQr6i5W5Z6omL7NuuxnerlLD68HpARHXWALs9NZowx58C8DjjnYJue-JJZDcNh8Aiy8UYw=s0-d)
vs ![[image]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uFJL-fLZh3wR_mht4y7SEAiDbzcH4KakewSnW-3TTnA-VhbvPRHBH7rrO0e_nELp8byEDk7toW3CWgUK20_k_VieEzbftzCCFbljcEjZoELIuhYNdAnM7Anw=s0-d)
Kevin Garnett vs Brad Miller
Center
![[image]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tBs349e3YMuGW4Smu8TreP6q-4HcVS3qXw_OVHquO7v0TRR2XCwrcWqQHBHawIOgsopGg4XWDGHyTvvGhjve4b5ZnkEC7Hq61hmQBoru64bIdf8BONRJeOsv-0--gRQEyRRw=s0-d)
vs ![[image]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_utrC6Es5n8fMlYlo5GmfDEttmKM3JjP9s6QOobwcmUHdxkvvxFI9cUKmHFGGx-sUdM7a8M4OqYs6Z9UBzeJLVwAMW8j_ZeiYk0yqIcehpTmrwsxtl9xDfccClK=s0-d)
Kendrick Perkins vs Joakim Noah
Key Matchups
![[image]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tnm2dLAz_PblegP9-gxih5uh9Hq2uXWc5EeEFNC3rXPXgJ5uooj9vwZ7ZWkfqxluoxfn39qKxlPFghEJmPqRm6UtLOMnij8gYi6id8OfZ_pBxjPcCSdhzb-54N=s0-d)
vs![[image]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uAWmuLzJsOCz30DOiaMkam3KfNoykwGagZu8lI-AOT6BTI5SzzIXUUIl44QQteZ73BURsrgSzmQVl4WDxlYG1EY7dZcaStqJYuqWdc5EEr4sgQeSxgMynZzRpZ-g=s0-d)
Rajon Rondo vs Derrick Rose
It is personal between these two point guards ever since they faced each other in the opening round of the playoffs last season. Rondo has clearly had the edge in their matchups so far. Derrick Rose will be looking for some payback. This should be fun to watch.
![[image]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tTbFUvCu3x4JPxjWxfQL-dj9pWk2ImMx8Uzb_2xK9wC-Gl5bZyfNb25Ay2xKzPPaXci9rGyCGo2yEtKBHaWAVnLB4CqFZgVa_8lKWqUBUCdyeh99QXLYreAy6UgA=s0-d)
vs![[image]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tzClzq1_KT3byWXiCiwEPuqiy8M2K1eT7zi9J4FFqsOr2Rcsyp5yl1yOAsFnRmJ3o2QPMW8Y2_Z7IMwniirh-4dUHq2JhYYoUPl7S3MCqL6TMFDBypo_G0h_D3=s0-d)
Paul Pierce vs Luol Deng
Luol Deng guards Paul Pierce as well as almost anyone in the league. His length seems to bother Pierce and he has struggled against him in the past. Unlike in the past, when Deng bothers him on defense, Pierce can just pass off to one of his waiting teammates.
Honorable Mention
![[image]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tlxrP_03bQXcO4djx2FsyatamnX1iqy2QdqTxsViTOYoYtH14W8-qhr1m5C2WHcsy285ZPxGEu9EW6PC1iAUjbBoICkt9nbwO0-xsFC1uNyiCWNIsW2rmedCo=s0-d)
vs Kendrick Perkins vs Joakim Noah
These two got into it a couple of times in the playoffs. Noah has to be one of the most irritating players in the league and he tends to get under his defenders' skin. But Noah plays hard and this should be a battle inside.
Keys to the Game
Defense - Defense is the key to every game this season. The Celtics need to guard the perimeter as well as the interior because the Bulls have outside scorers as well as guys who can take it to the basket.
Rebound - The Celtics need to put out the effort to go after rebounds on both ends. When the Celtics get the offensive rebounds, it not only gives them second chance baskets, but it also prevents the Bulls from getting out on the break. The Celtics need to grab the defensive rebounds to prevent the Bulls from getting second chance points.
Keep Cool - The Bulls have a way of getting under players skins. This could be a physical game and we have some very combustible players. They need to keep their cool and not let the Bulls goad them into technical fouls.
X Factor
Fatigue
The Celtics have been on the road almost forever it seems. They are playing in the 6th road game of their last 7 games. That will wear on a team. The Bulls are playing in the second of back to back games. The team that has the most focus and energy, especially on the defensive end, will get the win.
