On 21 July 2016, the Celtics and Bulls reported to North Highland Assembly of God's Gymnasium to begin their best-of-three series for the Eastern Division Championship.  It was built up to be a very strategic game because of the players involved.  The Celtics are fortunate to have the championship coaching of Al Wilson and championship experiences of Tim Sanks, Jerel Jackson, Steve Woodson, Christopher None, and Ralph Mathews.  For the Bulls, they had the championship experiences of Lester Hood to help guide the team into battle.  Lester Hood is known, throughout the league, for leading the 76ers to four championship titles.  Those of us with the history of the league behind us expected to see the Bulls follow Lester Hood into a strategic battle against his longtime strategic rivals.  That was unable to happen because that "Sense of Something", from the Bulls, raised its defiant head, again.  That "I want my Bulls Back" plan was activated and the old Bulls were back in the arena.  It was disappointing to see what was continuing to develop within the Bulls' organization.  The Celtics did not have to focus much on a game plan to win because the major game was taking place on and off the court; on the bench; and in what seems to be "private sessions" within the Bulls' camp. 

The starters for the Celtics were:  #24 Jerel Jackson, #23 Tim Sanks, #2 Steve Woodson, #1 Al Wilson, and #15 Christopher None.

The starters for the Bulls were:  #32 Lester Hood, #23 James Daniels, #10 Desi Johnson, #3 Philip Whittington, and #22 James Dix.

The "games" started immediately.  The Celtics' Jerel Jackson started out leading his team gain a 10 - 0 lead, while the internal "game of defiance" was brewing between the Bulls.  It was evident that the new leader of the Bulls, #10 Desi Johnson, was not going to accept direction of criticism from the outsider, Lester Hood.  Dismissing Hood was a total waste of experience.  Five Bulls scored, in the first half, producing 32 points.  Lester Hood was scoreless with five rebounds.  James Daniels and Philip Whittington led the Bulls with 8 points, each.  Ian Trowers scored 5 points, James Dix scored 6 points, and Desi Johnson scored 5 points.  The Celtics had six players in the scoring column:  Jerel Jackson with 10 points, Tim Sanks with 7 points, Steve Woodson with 9 points, Al Wilson with 6 points, Johnny Vasquez with 5 points, and Christopher None with 2 points.  The first half ended with the Celtics 39 and the Bulls 32. 

The second half presented us with the same scenario.  Jimmy "Champion" Foster led the Bulls with 11 points, James Daniels with 10 points, Philip Whittington with 8 points, and James Dix with 2 points.  The Celtics were led by Tim Sanks with nine points and Ralph Mathews with 8 points.  Five other Celtics would score to accumulate 36 second half points.

The Celtics captured game one of the Eastern Division Finals with a score of 75 - 63.  Both teams will return on Saturday, 23 July 2016 for Game Two at 2:00 P.M..

The scorers for the Celtics were:  #23 Tim Sanks with 16 points, #24 Jerel Jackson with 15 points, #2 Steve Woodson with 13 points, #22 Johnny Vasquez with 9 points, #1 Al Wilson, #00 Ralph Mathews, and #15 Christopher None with 6 points.

The scorers for the Bulls were:  #23 James Daniels with 18 points, #3 Philip Whittington with 16 points, #45 Jimmy Foster with 11 points, #22 James Dix with 8 points, #33 Ian Trowers with 5 points, and #10 Desi Johnson with 5 points.