It seems like only a short time the Bulls and Celtics were playing a very entertaining seven-game playoff series, but the teams were back at it in a new season Friday night at TD Garden in Boston.
Derrick Rose was no worse for wear after playing 33 minutes Thursday night and coach Vinny Del Negro planned to use him in a similar manner against the Celtics.
"Let's see how he feels," Del Negro said. "I wanted to keep him around 30 minutes [Thursday] and he got 33. I'd like keep him around 30, but let's see how the flow of the game goes and see how he feels.
"As he gets loose, he feels good. He got a little fatigued at the end I thought, but after not playing for a while he had a solid game for us."
Del Negro on the Celtics:
"They've got their enforcer back in Kevin Garnett, and they added Rasheed [Wallace] and Marquis Daniels, two veteran pros. They cause a lot of problems.
It's a good test for us. It's early in the season - only our second game - but it'll a good test for us, a good barometer. I expect their guys to come out and play hard and get after it."
The Bulls looked soft against the Celtics AGAIN. Boston is a physical team and the Bulls allow themselves to be pushed around, taken out of their game. They didn't learn anything last year and until they fight back, will continue to be beaten up. Even the announcers on ESPN were saying that the referees allow Boston to push other teams around because "That's who they are"