Chicago Bulls: What To Watch For In Playoff Series Vs. Celtics

Will The Younger Players Step Up Or Fold Under Postseason Pressure?

Although the Bulls’ 2016-17 season was wildly inconsistent, everyone knows what to expect from the veteran players. Jimmy Butler is the unquestioned top scorer and defensive specialist.

The offseason addition of Dwyane Wade gives the Bulls another player who can take over down the stretch. Chicago plays at a faster pace when Rondo is on the floor, and Robin Lopez is a presence at both ends of the floor.

Where the uncertainty comes into the play has to do with the younger players on the roster. Jerian Grant (36 percent), Denzel Valentine (35 percent) and Paul Zipser (33 percent) are all capable three-point shooters, but neither of them has had the experience of playing in games where every possession counts.

On top of that, Nikola Mirotic and Michael Carter-Williams have only played in six postseason games. Furthermore, Mirotic struggled at various stretches during the season, and at one point, he was shooting 39 percent from the floor and just 30 percent from three-point range.

The good news for the Bulls is Mirotic averaged 15.8 points per contest on 43 percent shooting from beyond the arc during the final 16 games of the season.

Keeping that in mind, if the supporting cast shows they are capable of stepping up, an upset could be in the works.