| |
|
NBA Playoffs- Bulls capture East's No.1 seed
By Fakhouri Amjid
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 25 Apr 2012
AFTER weeks of looking over their shoulders and constantly finding the Miami Heat closing on their heels, the Chicago Bulls can finally rest easy.
It's official, the Bulls will enter the NBA playoffs as the No.1 seed in the Eastern Conference. And they didn't need a single basket to attain the top ranking as the Boston Celtics crushed the Heat, 78-66, Tuesday night at the TD Garden in Boston.
The loss dropped Miami's won-lost record to 46-19, making Chicago uncatchable at 48-16 with two games left in the schedule. But the Heat did lock up the No.2 seed when the playoffs kick off April 28. The Bulls and Heat are in a collision course to meet in the Eastern Conference Finals, which will be a rematch of last year's battle won by the Heat in five games.
The Bulls play the Pacers in Indianapolis on Wednesday before closing out the season Thursday night at the United Center against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Both games have now been been rendered meaningless since the Pacers have already clinched the No.3 seed while the Cavs are out of playoffs contention with a dismal 21-43 record.
Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau had planned to play his starters at full force but now that the No.1 seed is on hand, Derrick Rose and company might not play "extended minutes."
Miami's Big 3 did not see action in Tuesday night's debacle. LeBron James nursed minor injuries, Wade tended to a dislocated finger while Chris Bosh was still bothered by hamstring problems.
The Celtics also had their share of injuries which led to stars sitting out. A hip flexor sidelined Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo was downed by a sore lower back while Ray Allen was hindered by a bad ankle.
Paul Pierce did play for 17 minutes and scored eight points, but it was seldom-used Sasha Pavlovic who carried the day for the Celtics. The former Cavalier drilled 12 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter where Boston turned a 52-52 tie into a 78-60 blowout with 1:07 left to play. (Fakhouri Amjid)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Fakhouri Amjid.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Return of Ryan Garcia
By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026“It’s moments a kid dreams off.” Sam Rennie returns for title challenge March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
, Wed, 25 Feb 2026‘It’s going to be a great fight and most importantly looking forward to the 10 pints together after it’ Billy Quinncroft challenges for Cruiserweight title March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
, Wed, 25 Feb 2026Magdalena Contreras Municipality and WBC start "Boxing for Peace" in Mexico
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026United States Captures Four More Wins on Day Two of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
, Wed, 25 Feb 2026Date set for Manny-Money 2
By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026Knockout Artist Sugar Martinez (17-0, 17 KOs) Makes His US Debut Against Philly Veteran Daiyan Butt
, Wed, 25 Feb 2026IM Yap outwits GM Gareyev, shares lead; Maribao split the point with GM Quizon in Round 3 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess
By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 25 Feb 20262 Division World Champion José Luis Castillo Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
, Wed, 25 Feb 2026Doors open for Manny
By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026MEXICAN TITANS GO HEAD-TO-HEAD HIGHLIGHTING CINCO DE MAYO WEEKEND IN LAS VEGAS!
, Tue, 24 Feb 2026Alex Bray and Gabriela Tellez Capture WBA Titles, Dainier Pero Scores Impressive Stoppage at “Night of Champions XIV” in Orlando
, Tue, 24 Feb 2026Cebuana Lhuillier Gems Officially Join Inaugural Pickle Yard Conference League
By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026ADAMES AND AMMO CLASH FOR WORLD TITLE IN ORLANDO ON MARCH 21
, Tue, 24 Feb 2026Filipino Alexis Emil Maribao shocks Indonesian Grandmaster Susanto Megaranto in the Manny Pacquiao International Open Chess opener
By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026Team USA Notches Perfect Day to Open 77th International Strandja Boxing Tournament
, Tue, 24 Feb 2026Floyd Mayweather Vs. Manny Pacquiao Set for Blockbuster Professional Rematch Streaming Live Globally on Netflix Saturday, September 19
, Tue, 24 Feb 2026Zulueta, Bactol, Dologuin, Almacen Score Knockout Wins in Thailand (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026Francisco wins PBF flyweight title
By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026San Diego’S Boxing Stars Julius Ballo and Jonny Mansour to Headline the Inaugural Edition of Sd Fight Night on April 18, 2026, at Frontwave Arena
, Tue, 24 Feb 2026Influencer Brooklyn Barwick Fighting for NBA Americas title
, Tue, 24 Feb 2026Integrated Sports to distribute ‘The MGM Slam Presented by Capital One PPV’ on Sunday, March 1 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
, Tue, 24 Feb 2026125 climbers reach Mt. Apo in Sta. Cruz
By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026Opening Round Bouts Set for Team USA at 77th International Strandja Boxing Tournament
, Mon, 23 Feb 2026Jean Henri Lhuillier Expresses Pride as Cebuana Lhuillier-Backed Blu Girls Secure Wild Card Entry to WBSC World Cup
By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 23 Feb 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
