Sam: Celtics rematch a litmus test for Bulls
Friday, Dec. 3, 2010
By Aggrey Sam
BOSTON -- With all of the sentimental formalities out of the way -- not that he bothered to pay attention to the in-game JumboTron tribute of himself and reserve forward Brian Scalabrine the first time -- Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau is back in his comfort zone in Boston, focusing on strictly business.
The Bulls' Nov. 5 overtime loss to the Celtics was widely regarded as an up-and-coming, yet still-incomplete team fiercely battling an upper-echelon and veteran squad that hadnt found its full killer instinct that early in the season, but with Boston clearly making an effort to sustain high-caliber efforts before the start of a new calendar year, that can no longer be considered the case.
The same goes for Chicago. With the return of Carlos Boozer -- albeit not in All-Star form yet -- and the Bulls successful Circus Trip (along with the proclamations of one Charles Barkley), Fridays game can be considered more of a true litmus test.
Speaking of Boozer, his welcome-back tour doesnt get any easier. After facing Orlandos duo of deep-shooting Rashard Lewis and rugged, athletic Brandon Bass, the Alaska native and Taj Gibson will have to contend with the wily and ornery Kevin Garnett, as well as the unique and underrated Glen Big Baby Davis off the bench.
>> CSN New England: Celtics to face Bulls team looking to rebound, literally