CELTICS OutLast BULLS IN UGLY WIN

A win is a win, is a win... however, not all wins are created equally.

But as I always say:

Just like having your ugly cousin as the best option for a prom date... I'll take what I can get.

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It was like watching sand paper scraping a wall; however after three quarters of sub-par low scoring basketball the Celtics found a way to grind out a win against a top tier foe. The last time Boston and Chicago matched up Bull's forward Marco Belinelli torched the Celtic's with clutch shooting which lead Chicago to a win. It appeared that the Celtics would fall yet again to the Bulls. A dismal eight point third quarter looked to spell the end for Boston. It was Kevin Garnett who led the Celtics back, scoring 8 of his 12 points in the final quarter. The Celtics also received a huge contribution from its bench, Jeff Green continued his improved play with 8 points and 5 boards, Brandon Bass led the Celtics in scoring with 14 points and Jason Terry chipped in with 12 points. Green, Bass and Terry are all going to have to continue to play well to overcome the recent losses of Leandro Barbosa and Jared Sullinger, who are both out for the season along with Rajon Rondo.

This was a huge win for Boston. Not only did the Celtics grind out a tough win over a quality opponent, they did it in the last game before the all-star break. Boston had snapped its recent 7 game winning streak to the lowly Bobcats, and didn't want to go into the all-star break on two losses. It doesn't get any easier for Boston. They start a brutal west coast trip after the break which includes matchup's with: the Nuggets, Lakers, Suns, Blazers and Jazz. Certainly Boston will get a test from the Manimal Kenneth Faried and the Nuggets, who took the Celtics into three overtimes this past Sunday. Another interesting matchup will be against the hated Lakers. Even though the Laker's have been horrible, this NBA finals rematch falls one day before the trade deadline, which could have an impact on which direction the Celtics go on trade deadline Thursday. The Celtics won't play in the TD Garden until March 1st when they host Golden State. The Celtics currently are the 7th seed in the eastern conference.  The question is how will this Boston Celtic's team look after the All-Star break, the trade deadline, and a brutal road trip?

- Joe Passarelli