On 18 June 2016, the Celtics and Bulls met at North Highland Assembly of God's Church Gymnasium for another game to improve their records and to assess where they are, as a team, before entering the playoffs. This season has been an unusual challenge for the Celtics because the coach and core group of players have struggled to convince new players to buy into a system that has made them seven time champions. That can be a tall order when dealing with talented athletes. On the other hand, I have watched the Bulls struggle in so many areas. I keep looking for the team to snap out of their slump, but it is not happening. The Bulls need someone, a dominant player or coach, to keep them focused on their mission to play basketball and not join them in attempting to win by converting from players to officials. They want to win, I want to see them win, and their fans want them to win, but the players must do it all themselves.
The starting lineup, for the Celtics (Defending Champions), consisted of: #24 Jerel Jackson, #23 Tim Sanks, #1 Al Wilson, #2 Steve Woodson, and #8 Jerald Mahone.
The Starting lineup, for the Bulls, consisted of: #23 James Daniels, #45 Jimmy Foster, #22 James Dix, #3 Phillip Whittington, and #33 Ian Trowers.
The game started with the Celtics winning the tip-off and scoring on a layup. The Bulls responded with with a 12 - 4 run by 14:06 of the first half. James Dix, James Daniels, and Phillip Whittington were leading the charge in scoring. The Bulls lit up the scoreboard with five 3-pointers, eight 2-pointers, and two free throws after scoring their first four points. Though, they were playing high-energy basketball and scoring, the Bulls could not get their fouling under control. The Celtics were able to score 5 points from free throws, six 2-pointers, and one 3-pointer before the Bulls called their second timeout with 4:09 remaining in the first half. The Bulls held a 15-point lead (37 - 23) during that timeout. The Bulls' excessive fouling led to the team's frustration, individual technical fouls, and free throws for the Celtics. When the Bulls called their final timeout of the half, at 49 seconds, the lead had dropped to seven points with the Bulls leading 38 - 31. The Celtics made up most of their deficit from the foul line. They scored free throws from 24 - 29 and 32 - 34. The first half ended with the Bulls 40 and the Celtics 34.
James Dix (#22) led the Bulls with 14 points, #3 Phillip Whittington with 10 points, and #23 James Daniels with 10 points. The Celtics were led by #24 Jerel Jackson with 10 points (six from free throws), #23 Tim Sanks with 8 points (four from free throws), #2 Steve Woodson with 7 points (one free throw), and #00 Ralph Mathews with 7 points (three from free throws).
The second half turned out to be filled with the Bulls attempting to officiate the game by challenging every call, making calls from the bench, managing the scoreboard, and more. They completely lost focused. It was sad to watch imperfection demand perfection. I have said, on many occasions, that players voice their opinions about all facets of the game, but officials only have a whistle to communicate with. The officials do not have the privilege of reporting imperfections by saying, "Dumb shot by #!" "# missed an easy layup!" "# shot a 3-pointer instead of attempting a layup!" or other defaming remarks. Players need to play and leave the "imperfect officiating" to the "imperfect officials". The best team will always win - on that given day. The Bulls' imperfections led to two players fouling out (#34 Leo Preyer and #23 James Daniels). They both received technical fouls with Daniels receiving a one-game suspension for receiving two technical fouls.
The Celtics remained calm and captured their first lead (49 - 47) with 13:40 remaining in the game. That lead was secured by four free throws. The Celtics became more physical as they turned up the heat. They committed 13 team fouls in the second half as opposed to eight by the Bulls. The Bulls were able to score on eight free throws. The Celtics scored on 11 free throws. Following the first half, the scores were tied eight times at 47, 57, 60, 62, 64, 68, 69, and 71. As you can see, both teams refocused and battled to the end. The Bulls really fought hard to win. I commend the players for battling through the distractions and continuing to fight to win. That is what "Warriors" do. The Bulls were led by #22 James Dix with 10 points (four from free throws), #3 Phillip Whittington with 10 points (two from free throws), and #45 Jimmy Foster with 7 points. Daniels (#23) left the game with 6 points (two from free throws). The Celtics caught fire behind the shooting of #23 Tim Sanks with 16 points (six from free throws), #24 Jerel Jackson with 15 points (two 3-pointers and three free throws), and #00 Ralph Mathews with 8 points. The Celtics outscored the Bulls, in the second half, 43 - 33, and went on to win their eleventh game of the season 77 - 73. The Celtics scored 25 (almost a 1/3) of their points from the free throw line. The Bulls scored on 12 free throws.
The scorers, for the Celtics, were: #24 Jerel Jackson with 25 points, #23 Tim Sanks with 24 points, #00 Ralph Mathews with 15 points, #2 Steve Woodson with 11 points, and #1 Al Wilson with 2 points.
The scorers, for the Bulls, were: ##22 James Dix with 24 points, #3 Phillip Whittington with 19 points, #23 James Daniels with 16 points, #45 Jimmy Foster with 12 points, #28 Bryant Adams with 2 points.