Why the Celtics Should Be Afraid of the Bulls in the First Round

Ok...finally the facade has been removed and the Celtics are being honest about Kevin Garnett's injury. They've reported that Garnett could miss the first round of the playoffs and potentially the ENTIRE post season. This is nothing but bad news for the World Champs (unless you're a guy like Glen Davis who would enjoy the extra minutes). Everyone knows that Garnett is the emotional leader of this team, and that they could march back to the Eastern Conference finals off of his focus and drive alone! Boston will have to face a hungry, young Bull's team in the first round, and without Garnett, they have a lot to be concerned about. Lets do numbers:

Sure, Boston lead the regular season series 2-1 (won the first two, loss the finale), but take into consideration the change in these two teams between those 2 wins, and that 1 loss.

-In the first two games, Garnett played and averaged 17.5 points, 5.5 rebs, 1.5 blocks, and 3 steals. Not AMAAAZING numbers, but add his leadership and intensity to that, and the value skyrockets. The third game he didnt play at all!

-In the first game Tyrus Thomas only had 11 points, 6 rebs, and 2 blocks. In the second game he didnt even play! Third game he gave Chicago 18 pts, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks. And the newly acquired Brad Miller (very key here) finished with 21 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 assists.

-In the first two games, the Bulls got sub par play from Thabo Sefalosha (7.5 points, 2.5 rebs, 2 steals, 2 assists). But in the third game, they got a whopping 38 points, 1 steal, 1 block, 3 rebs out of the newly acquired (very key here) John Salmons.

-In the first two games the Celts relied on Paul Pierce for 15 points, 6.5 rebs, and 4 assists per game. They relied on Rondo for 9 points, 4 rebounds, and 10.5 assists. In the third game Pierce had to score 37 points, and he pulled down 7 rebounds. Rondo had to score 26 points, pulled down 5 rebounds, and had 10 assists as well. AND IT STILL WASNT ENOUGH!

The fact of the matter is, Kevin Garnett is out, and this Bulls team is a VERY different team since the acquisitions of Brad Miller and John Salmons. Tyrus Thomas is playing better basketball, and Derrick Rose is hardly looking like a rookie. Not to mention a guy by the name of Ben Gordon who's capable of turning on the switch at any given moment. We'll see if they look like deer in headlights come playoff time, but numbers don't lie. And according to numbers, the Celt's should be worried! Barely takes a genius to know that!