Boston, MA (My Sportsbook) - The Chicago Bulls take on the Boston Celtics at the FleetCenter on Wednesday in the season opener for both teams.

The Boston Celtics are coming off a tremendously successful year in which they advanced all the way to the Eastern Conference finals before falling to New Jersey in six games. Boston benefited from a breakout season from Paul Pierce and another strong campaign from Antoine Walker, as the dynamic duo led the Celts to their first playoff appearance since 1995.

A return to the conference finals may not be easy, as the Celtics enter this season with a major question mark: Vin Baker. Boston acquired the underachieving forward along with guard Shammond Williams in a controversial trade with the SuperSonics over the offseason that sent guards Kenny Anderson and Joseph Forte and center Vitaly Potapenko to Seattle.

Baker is a four-time All-Star, but his last selection came in 1998 -- his first season with Seattle. Since, Baker has struggled to stay motivated and his numbers have declined dramatically. The Celtics are hoping a return to the New England area (Baker grew up in Connecticut) will light a fire under the forward, giving them a much-needed low post presence. However, Baker will start his first season with Boston by coming off the bench.

The departure of Anderson leaves a hole at the starting point guard spot, which the Celtics are hoping to fill with Tony Delk, who's better suited as a shooting guard. Behind Delk are the streaky Williams and rookie J.R. Bremer out of St. Bonaventure.

Tonight's game will mark the NBA debut of guard Jay Williams, whom Chicago took with the second overall pick in June's draft. Williams, out of Duke, has been given the starting point guard job for the Bulls, and joins second-year players Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry and veterans Jalen Rose and Donyell Marshall in a solid starting five.

Bill Cartwright took over the reins from Tim Floyd just after Christmas last season and immediately instilled a new attitude in the young Bulls. He was rewarded with a three-year extension in March and looks to continue Chicago's progress this year.

This year, Chicago hopes to snap a string of four straight seasons finishing in the cellar of the East.

Boston went 4-4 in preseason play, while the Bulls finished with a 3-5 record.

In 2001-02, the Celtics and Bulls split their season series 2-2, with both teams winning twice on their home floor. Overall, Boston has won four of the previous six meetings, including winning the last three at home.