Bulls Defeat Celtics: 95 to 87
The Chicago Bulls beat the Boston Celtics for the second time in less than a week as the two teams wrapped up a home and home series. The Bulls, playing on their home court last night — defeated the Celtics by the final score of 95 to 87. Celtics guard Delonte West scored 19 points on 8 for 14 shooting while adding three assits and two steals in his 43 minutes of play.
The Celtics started a smaller, faster backcourt that utilized both Delonte West and Rajon Rondo alongside one another. When asked about the changes, Delonte told the Globe:
“We’re two guards that can create out there,” said West, who went 43 minutes and had 19 points. “Rondo is a young player in this league that is highly talented. He definitely creates shots for players. I don’t mind being the beneficiary of some of those passes.”
The Celtics will return to action tonight in Boston as they take on the Atlanta Hawks — a team who will be looking to win five straight for the first time this year.
With last night’s loss to the Bulls, the Celtics drop to 18-45 on the year — two wins ahead of Memphis for the worst record in the league.
Delonte Will Return Tonight in Chicago
Having suffered a concussion last week against the Rockets, Delonte West hopes to make his return to the court tonight at 8:30PM when the Celtics and Bulls tip off from Chicago.
As the Celtics.com Preview reports…
West Back in Lineup
The Celtics and Bulls get together again tonight, this time in Chicago, for the second game of a rare home-and-home set. The Bulls took Sunday’s game at the Garden 94-78, but the Celtics will be looking for revenge at the United Center.
After missing two games with a mild concussion, Delonte West has been cleared to play and should be in the lineup tonight.
Tune in to FSN at 8:00PM to catch Celtics Tonight, and then the game coverage.
Delonte Status Update from Herald…
Stevel Bulpett from the Boston Herald reports on Delonte’s progress and status for today’s game against the Bulls…
The Celtics [team stats] had a light walk-through yesterday in preparation for a home-and-home series with Chicago starting today. Their season has been whittled down to a series of auditions for the future.
So why was Delonte West, absent from Friday’s win against Seattle because of a concussion suffered Wednesday, working so hard on his own after the practice?
“Because he’s Delonte,” coach Doc Rivers said.
But even if he felt fine, wouldn’t it be best to err on the side of caution and have him come back more slowly? Head injuries, after all, are nothing to take lightly.
“Well, my mama did tell me something’s wrong with my brain a long time ago,” West said. “So a couple of extra bumps ain’t going to do nothing to me.
“I feel great. A day and a half of rest . . . I feel great. They put me through some conditioning tests to see if I got dizzy or had any minor headaches, which I was having all of (Friday), but I felt great.”
Rivers isn’t so sure that feeling will translate to playing time against the Bulls.
“We’re going to be safe,” the coach said. “We’re going to be smart about it, so I would doubt very seriously if he’s going to play (today). Dr. (Brian) McKeon will make the call. It’s something you don’t take a chance with.”
As for West pushing his way back into the lineup, Rivers said, “Guys want to play. I mean, Delonte’s so young, he still wants to get his career going. Del needs to learn his position still, too.
“Look at our team. Who’s not playing to be a better player? Paul (Pierce). Paul is (playing) because he likes playing. Other than that, nobody else has formed a career.”
West is looking ahead in his career. He did some extensive work with assistant coach Clifford Ray, focusing on his right hand (he’s a natural lefty) and shots just inside the paint.
“That’s a little something special for next year,” West said. “I’m trying to put the complete package together. I’m trying to get my opposite hand and my mid-range game together.”
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Delonte West: Out of the Lineup 03/09
Delonte West will not be in the Celtics lineup tonight against the Sonics. Celtics.com’s game preview is reporting that both West and Gomes will be out of action:
As for the Celtics, they will be shorthanded tonight after sustaining a few injuries against the Rockets, as Delonte West and Ryan Gomes are both out of the lineup.
Delonte West suffered a mild concussion Wednesday, while Ryan Gomes has a left mid-foot sprain. Both players will be re-evaluated tomorrow. Look for Rajon Rondo to make his fifth career start at point guard for the Celtics. Meanwhile, Gomes had been coming off the bench as of late in favor of Brian Scalabrine, so Leon Powe will likely see some PT off the bench at the four spot.
With Delonte out, Rajon Rondo and Paul Pierce will make up the Celtics starting back court.