Looking ahead: NBA Game of the Week

MIAMI AT CHICAGO:

Thursday, 5 p.m., TNT

If few around the NBA saw the aged Celtics as the big threat to Miami in the East, few around Chicago saw the Bulls as ready to challenge either team with a new coach, Tom Thibodeau, power forward Carlos Boozer’s debut delayed a month after an accident with — a gym bag? — and a hole at shooting guard.

Not that it was a surprise, since Thibodeau schemed the Celtics’ defense, but the Bulls, who were No. 13 in points allowed and No. 3 in opponents’ field-goal percentage, have gone to No. 3 and No. 2 this season.

Then there’s Derrick Rose, who was only supposed to be a star at this stage but is on the level of Deron Williams and Chris Paul, or Dwyane Wade, whom he resembles more.

Miami, you know. Chicago, we’ll learn something about.