Boozer's history of success vs. Bosh goes back a long way
This streak is likely to end in the soon, but it is interesting. Carlos Boozer hasn't lost an NBA game to Chris Bosh in nearly seven years, since Dec. 22, 2004.
Most of those games were between Utah and Toronto, so its relevance in the Bulls-Miami playoff series is questionable.
Boozer's teams have a 13-game winning streak against Bosh's teams, including the Bulls' three victories over the Heat this season. Boozer missed a few of those contests, so in games when both players were on the court, the streak is eight in a row.
Boozer averaged 13.3 points and 9.7 rebounds against Miami this season. Bosh produced 15.7 points and 6.3 boards against the Bulls. Bosh had a forgettable 1-for-18 shooting night at the United Center on Feb. 24.
“We've been studying what we did right (against the Heat), what we did wrong, what we can improve on,” Boozer said Saturday at the Berto Center. “It's going to be a heck of a series. We look forward to it just like you guys do. Two great teams going at it and we're excited for (Game 1).”
LeBron sees low scores:Before traveling to Chicago on Saturday, Miami star LeBron James predicted the Eastern Conference finals against the Bulls could become an ugly series.#8220;I can definitely see points in the game when it's not going to be fun for fans to watch if you love exciting basketball because it's going to be offensive struggles sometimes,#8221; James said, according to espn.com. #8220;Someone has to score. I don't want it to be a Big Ten showdown out here. At some point, someone has to score.#8221;In defensive field-goal percentage, the Bulls ranked first in the NBA and Miami second during the regular season.Stopping the stars:Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau downplayed the idea that he knows how to stop LeBron James, since he was an assistant coach on the Boston Celtics teams that knocked James' Cavaliers out of the playoffs two of the last three years.#8220;He's such a great player,#8221; Thibodeau said. #8220;With all great players, very difficult to stop. You don't stop them, you make them work for their points, try to take as many easy baskets away as possible and then you've got to concentrate on stopping others.#8221;Thibodeau expects Miami, with its three all-stars and collection of spot-up shooters, will put the Bulls' defense to the test.#8220;If your help is not ready to recover, then you're going to pay the price,#8221; he said. #8220;You have to challenge shots and then you have to rebound. This is a team you can't stand and stare, because they're so athletic and quick to the ball.#8221;Boozer talks:Bulls forward Carlos Boozer appreciated the support from teammates he received while struggling on the court with a turf toe injury.#8220;I love my teammates,#8221; he said. #8220;We've been together all season, no matter who was going through what. We are like a family. A lot of people say that, but we really are. It felt great to have everybody on my side in the locker room.#8221;Boozer had a breakout game, of sorts, with 23 points and 10 rebounds in the clinching Game 6 win at Atlanta. Now the top-seeded Bulls are considered underdogs against Miami.#8220;We've been the underdog all season,#8221; he said. #8220;Nobody was talking about us at the start of the season. Nobody was talking about us during the season. Nobody's talking about us now. It's not unfamiliar territory. We've just been plugging away, getting better every day.#8221;