Chicago: Where Reality Happens

Reality has set in tonight in Chicago, and that’s no "bull."

The Bulls and their fans thought they were all set to take their first round series with the champion Boston Celtics. But the Celtics had other ideas and showed Chicago what it means to be a champion.

Missing the heart and soul of their team, Kevin Garnett, who sets their defense, and Leon Powe, one of their best players off the bench, the Celtics lost their first game in Boston by two points in overtime and with it home court advantage.

The Celtics came back to win a hard fought game two also by two points in the final seconds. Chicago fans called it luck and said to wait until the two teams met at the United Center in Chicago, where the Bulls had home court advantage.

Well, tonight the Celtics came, they played, and they conquered the Bulls, 107-86, and took back home court advantage.

It was no doubt a statement game for Boston. Not only did they have to win, but they had to prove to the Bulls and to themselves that game two was no fluke.

The beating was actually much worse than the 21-point margin would indicate. Celtic head coach Doc Rivers used mostly reserves in the final quarter to give his starters a much needed rest. In the end, every Celtic got time on the court.

The Celtics led the Bulls in nearly every category: shooting percentage, 48-37.5 percent, three-point shots, 12-for-21 to 9-for-22, and free throws, 19-of-24 to 17-of-27.

But defense is where championships are won and that is why the Celtics are still the champions and will remain the champions until they finally lose four games in a series.

Tonight the Celtics defense had 16 steals, blocked 10 shots, and forced 22 turnovers and shattered the confidence of the Bulls and their fans.

A lot of self-doubt must be brewing tonight in Chi Town. The Bulls have to win the next game or the series is virtually over.

They know they cannot go back to Boston down three-to-one. The pressure is on the Bulls, and I expect most of it to come from the Boston defense.

The NBA: where dreams end and reality begins.