Bulls Still Without Rondo for Game 5 in Boston on Wednesday

On Wednesday, the Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics will tip off Game 5 of the NBA Eastern Conference first round best of seven series from TD Garden in Boston. The series is tied at 2-2 heading into this pivotal game.

The current line has Boston favored by 7.5 points with the over/under point total on 202.5. Home court advantage has not been present in this series, with the visiting team winning each of the first four games.

Chicago opened the series with two wins in Boston and then the Celtics returned the favor with two wins in Chicago including Sunday’s 104-95 victory behind the 33 points of Isaiah Thomas. Game 4 saw tempers flare on both sides, and could become more physical.

The back to back victories by the Celtics in Chicago took place after Rajon Rondo the starting point guard for the Bulls went down with a thumb fracture. There is a possibility Rondo could return to play in Game 6 or 7.

Chicago, after shooting almost 47% and averaging over 25 assists per game in two wins in Boston, the Bulls fell to 40% shooting and 16.5 assists per game during Games 3 and 4 at home.

Isaiah Canaan will start for the Bulls after scoring 13 points in Sunday’s loss in place of the injured Rondo. Canaan was inactive for the first three games of this series and watched for much of the season on the Bulls bench.

Bulls leading scorer Jimmy Butler led the team in Game 4 with 33 points and 9 assists.

Boston coach Brad Stevens decided to make his lineup smaller including starting Gerald Green during Games 3 and 4 and that has changed the series. In Game 4, Green had 18 points and 7 rebounds. Amir Johnson who usually is a regular starter did not play in Game 4.

Butler in Chicago’s two wins in Boston had a scoring average of 26 points per game, while averaging 8.5 boards.

Boston center Kelly Olynyk was 4 for 4 from the floor in Game 4, and has hit 4 of his 7 shots from 3-point territory during the last three games.

Chicago is 8-2 ATS in its past 10 games on the road.

Boston is 1-8 ATS in its past 9 games at home.

Prediction: Straight up the Celtics look stronger with Isaiah Thomas returning to normal following the death of his sister. However, lean toward the Bulls with the points.