NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs Schedule: Chicago Bulls to Host Boston Celtics, Look to Take Series Lead

The Chicago Bulls got what they wanted in Boston but they may have let a great opportunity slip away after splitting their two games with the defending NBA champion Celtics. Chicago will now host Boston on Thursday night and look to grab a 2-1 series lead but they’ll be facing a squad that posted a 27-14 mark on the road and won’t be intimidated by their 28-13 record on their home court.

Chicago stunned Boston in Game 1 with a 105-103 overtime victory as Derrick Rose scorched the Celtics with 36 points while dealing out 11 assists. In Game 2 the Bulls had the Celtics on the ropes late in the fourth quarter but let a 109-104 lead with just over two minutes left slip away and Ray Allen buried a three-pointer to give Boston the 118-115 win despite a 42-point effort from Ben Gordon.

Boston will almost certainly be playing with a sense of urgency on Thursday as they don’t want to fall down 2-1 in the series. That may be difficult as they lost Leon Powe for the rest of the season and that will put added pressure on Glen Davis to produce.

On the other side Chicago has to be feeling confident as they have had great balance in scoring during both games and have been above 50 percent from the floor in each game.

Tip-off for the game is set for 8:00 p.m. ET.