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2017 NBA Playoffs: 10 Random 1st Round X-Factors We Weren’t Expecting

By Gerald Bourguet

April 18, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Joe Johnson (6) moves the ball against Los Angeles Clippers center Marreese Speights (5) during the second half in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
April 18, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Joe Johnson (6) moves the ball against Los Angeles Clippers center Marreese Speights (5) during the second half in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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2017 NBA Playoffs
Apr 18, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago Bulls point guard Rajon Rondo (9) controls the ball during the first quarter in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Rajon Rondo

With Rajon Rondo on the court, the 8-seeded Chicago Bulls built a 2-0 lead on the 1-seeded Boston Celtics. Without him, a pu-pu platter of Jerian Grant, Michael Carter-Williams and Isaiah Canaan was unable to prevent two consecutive home losses to tie the series back up.

In his two playoff games, Rondo looked like his old self again, putting up 11.5 points, 10.0 assists and 8.5 rebounds per game against his former team. He was orchestrating Chicago’s offense, shooting an acceptable 42.3 percent from the floor and punishing Isaiah Thomas on both ends of the floor with his size advantage.

According to The Vertical’s Shams Charania, Rondo will attempt to play in Game 5 despite his broken thumb. Nobody should’ve expected anything less from one of the league’s most embattled and experienced playoff competitors, though it remains to be seen how effective he’ll be with only one hand.

Either way, a healthy Rondo had the Bulls on the cusp of becoming the sixth 8-seed to ever knock off a No. 1 seed in the first round. Without him, momentum has shifted completely back in Boston’s favor.

Next: 2017 NBA Playoffs Roundup, Day 11

After all Rondo has been through over the past few years with the Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings and even the Bulls this year, no one was expecting this kind of late career revival.