Celtics’ Thomas: Days since sister died hardest of my life

For anyone watching the NBA Playoffs, one of the biggest surprises so far has been the first-round matchup between the top seeded Boston Celtics and the 8th seeded Chicago Bulls. ESPN reported that former Celtics, Rajon Rondo, now Bulls’ point guard, noticed how the Celtics have given up the game, with Bradley saying that he had heard Rondo said it himself.

This goes without saying, but the Bulls need Rondo.

Rockets 115, Thunder 111: James Harden scored 35 points and Houston overcame 51 points from Russell Westbrook in a triple-double, clawing back from a double-digit deficit to take a 2-0 lead in the first-round Western Conference playoff series. These two games, obviously it’s great to be up 2-0. We do have young players out there and they let their emotions get the best of them. ‘Listening to their basketball minds, all of us listening to each other’s mind and on the same page. If Rondo isn’t able to make it back, the Bulls may not have enough fire power to keep Boston down.

Isaiah Thomas scored 20 points for Boston.

Without Rondo in the lineup, Butler understands that he will be expected to run more of the offense.

DWade: “That hate is that respect”. Their style of play looks like the old Celtics on their glory days.

I know what Rondo brings. Payne, a 2015 lottery pick who was acquired from Oklahoma City Thunder for both Taj Gibson and Doug McDermott at the trade deadline, has played sparingly since injuring his foot in late March. Because he’s gonna make sure he’s prepared, the last guy on the bench is prepared. “And when your point guard, your leader is prepared, we’re all prepared”.

The Bulls, who clawed their way to the eighth and final playoff spot in the East, are trying to become the first eighth seed to topple the top-ranked team in the opening round since the Philadelphia 76ers upset Chicago in 2012.

“It’s about everybody on your roster playing a part”, Hoiberg said.

Dwyane Wade and the Bulls can talk about their plans at the end of the season.

He was much better in Game 2, going 6 for 12, including 2 of 5 from long range. Not bad at all.

The Bulls lead the First Round series versus the Celtics, 2-0, scoring at least 100 points in each game. Ainge said that tends to happen in the playoffs, especially when teams aren’t playing well, but agrees that the C’s let their emotions get the best of them on Tuesday night.

The word “embarrassing” certainly sums it up, as they now travel to Chicago for Games 3 and 4 on Friday and Sunday. There was a time when Wade would be the one counted on to take over these games.