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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 23, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Boston Celtics forward Gerald Green (30) reacts after a basket against the Chicago Bulls during the first half in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Gerald Green

There’s another player who’s had an even larger impact on the Boston Celtics-Chicago Bulls matchup, but who would’ve known that inserting Gerald Green into the starting lineup would help swing the series in Beantown’s favor?

After falling into an 0-2 hole, head coach Brad Stevens put the Four-Fingered Assassin into the starting five over Amir Johnson. The result? Two dominant wins on the road to tie the series back up.

Green had only played six minutes in the first two games, after averaging just 11.4 minutes per game during the regular season. But the small-ball switch helped spread the floor with Green on the perimeter, opening up driving lanes for Isaiah Thomas to exploit off the dribble.

Green put up eight points in 20 minutes in Game 3, but his Game 4 performance cemented his status as a legitimate, totally unexpected difference-maker in the series. He finished the game with 18 points, seven rebounds and four three-pointers on 7-of-13 shooting overall. Against all odds, the Green Machine appears to be alive and well.