Location: TD Garden, Boston, MA

Tip-Off: 3:30 P.M.

Projected Starters:

Boston (14-12): Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Jermaine O’Neal

Chicago (23-6): C.J. Watson, Ronnie Brewer, Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer, Joakim Noah

**Derrick Rose is a game-time decision (lower back).

Keys to the Game:

• The Celtics are coming off two losses in a row, and Doc Rivers was very quick to call out his team’s poor performance on both nights.  The Bulls have the best record in the NBA, so Boston cannot afford to have another bad game.  They have to execute on both ends of the court, and they must be good right out of the gate.
• Rondo should look to be aggressive on offense tonight.  Rondo is the key to the Celtics offense, and if Rose does not play, he must take advantage and run the floor and get his teammates involved.
• Pierce definitely lost his scoring touch in the loss to the Toronto Raptors Friday night, so he needs to bounce back against the Bulls.  Chicago is allowing around 86 points per game, so Boston’s scoring leader cannot have another off game this afternoon.

Prediction:

Bulls 92, Celtics 86.  Despite the possibility that Rose may sit out again, Chicago’s defense is too good for the Celtics offense to overcome.