With the series tied 2-2, the Chicago Bulls arrived at the TD Garden to play the Boston Celtics without Rajon Rondo able to play, the engine that powered them to a surprising two-game lead early in the series.
Emotions were high from the tip, with something more like a Conference Finals feel emanating from both the players and the crowd as a raucous audience cheered on. A pair of early treys by Dwyane Wade and Nikola Mirotic sucked some of that energy away, and Robin Lopez battling Al Horford to the rim and Wade under the basket and from the stripe added to the Bulls early 12-4 lead at the seven minute mark.