Celtics on CLNS

More information on tragic death of Chyna Thomas, younger sister of Boston Celtics star Isaiah, as team prepares for NBA Playoff series against Chicago Bulls.

The Boston Celtics are facing scrutiny as the number one seed due to a low win total and point differential. Isaiah Thomas himself has faced criticism for his defense that his chipped away at his MVP candidacy. The Cleveland Cavaliers narrowly escaped defeat in game one of their playoff series, while the Raptors were not so lucky in losing to Milwaukee.

According to an News Tribune article out of Tacoma, Washington; Isaiah Thomas's 22-year-old sister, Chyna, died in a car accident Saturday morning.

The Roundtable's conversation with RealGM's Keith Smith continues, with a focus on early-series defensive schemes. Follow Keith on Twitter: @KeithSmithNBA. Follow us on Twitter: @CLNSRoundtable. We'll be back Monday!

The Celtics and Bulls met in the playoffs in 1981, 1986, and 1987 (all Celtics sweeps), before waiting 22 years, where they would face off in one of the NBA’s all-time great first round series in 2009, a tense nail biter that lasted seven games and included seven periods of overtime basketball.

The missing piece from that series? Rajon Rondo.

This time, however, Rondo won't be in a Celtics uniform.

Plus, Celtics second-round pick Abdel Nader named D-League Rookie of the Year for the Maine Red Claws

NBA Insider Keith Smith joins the Roundtable for a deep dive into the Celtics vs. Bulls playoff series. Part two will air tomorrow as we dive deeper into this exciting first-round matchup. Follow Keith on Twitter: @KeithSmithNBA

Boston Celtics Hosts Chicago Bulls in First Round as Top Seed in Eastern Conference

Fresh off of averaging 22 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists, on 61 percent shooting during his two-game home debut in front of the Maine Red Claws crowd, it is clear that not only the fans, but also Yabusele's teammates thrive off of the energy that he brings to the court every single play.

I sat down with the player known as the Dancing Bear - someone who compares his game to Draymond Green's - during his off day as the Red Claws prepared for a deciding Game 3 in the D-League playoffs.

We discussed everything from strange rules in China, how he earned the Dancing Bear nickname, his relationship with Celtics rookie Jaylen Brown, and why he pursued basketball as a youngster growing up in France.

Follow me @CLNS_Prescott

Join Matt Ignal, Jon Ignal, Zaire, and Evan Valenti to discuss the Celtics finishing the year as the number one seed before diving into wacky superlatives. Follow us on Twitter: @CLNSRoundtable

The Maine Red Claws made history Wednesday night at the Portland Expo, as they earned their first playoff series win in franchise history with a 124-119 win against the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in a true must-win Game 3.

The last few minutes of this game played the same hand as the previous two, down to the wire and up for grabs. Unlike Monday’s defeat, one in which Maine blew as much as a 15-point lead, the Red Claws persevered in this one after being down eight points in the fourth quarter.