Chicago Bulls vs Boston Celtics Preview
At 8:00 ET, the 1st place Celtics (-329) will travel to Chicago to take on the 9th place Bulls (+263). The over/under line for this Eastern Conference matchup is 221.5.
Currently, the Celtics are on an 8-game winning streak and have a record of 56-14. The Bulls, on the other hand, are 34-36 and sit 4th in the Central Division.
Check out BetCoco for Chicago Bulls – Boston Celtics odds
Chicago Bulls vs Boston Celtics Head-to-Head and Key Stats
The Celtics and Bulls did not have any head-to-head matchups last season. But over the last three times playing each other, the Celtics have a record of 3-0. The Celtics also had the edge vs. the spread in these games, at 2-1. These games averaged a combined total of 222 points per game leading to an over/under record of 2-1.
- Boston has played well in their previous three road games, going 3-0 straight up. In this stretch, they averaged 127 points per game while allowing 104. The team also performed well vs the spread at 3-0.
- When looking at their past three home matchups, Chicago has an ATS record of 1-2 while averaging 117 per game. The team went 1-2 overall in these games.
- As the betting underdog, the Bulls have an ATS mark of just 1-4 in their last five games. Chicago posted a straight up mark of 1-4 in these matchups.
- Boston has done well both straight up and vs the spread when favored to win the game, going 3-0 SU and 3-0 ATS in their last three games.
Chicago Bulls vs Boston Celtics Prediction
The Celtics are looking to extend their win streak to nine games today, and they are favored by 7.5 points over the Bulls. This season, Boston has been favored in 67 of their 70 games, going 54-13 straight-up and 34-30 ATS as the favorite.
In terms of their O/U record for the season, the Celtics are 34-35-1, and their last two games have gone over the posted total. On average, their games have finished with 230.5 points, compared to today’s line of 221.5.
Against the spread on the road, the Celtics are 17-16 this season, and they have covered in five straight road games. Overall, their road record this season is 24-11.
In their last game, the Celtics defeated the Pistons by a score of 129-102. The O/U line for that game was 223 points, and Boston covered the spread as 14-point favorites.
Boston is currently in 1st place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 56-14. Against other Eastern Conference teams, they are 37-7 and 19-7 against the West.
The Celtics have been one of the most potent offenses in the NBA this season, ranking 2nd in scoring at 121.1 points per game. In terms of scoring on the road, Boston is 3rd in the league at 118.9 points per game.
So far this season, the Celtics have outscored the NBA scoring average in 74.3% of their games. In terms of pace, Boston is 17th in the league at 97.6 possessions per game.
When it comes to shooting, the Celtics are 9th in the league in field goal percentage at 48%. They have also been one of the best three-point shooting teams, leading the league in both three-point makes and attempts.
Coming into the game, the Celtics defense has held opposing team’s to fewer points than the league average in 28.6% of their games. Currently, they are 6th in the NBA at 109.4 points per game allowed. In the terms of takeaways, Celtics are causing 11.4 turnovers per game, ranking 2nd in the league. They also enter the matchup ranked 2nd in rejections, averaging 6.5 blocked shots each game.
Today, the Bulls will look to snap a two-game ATS losing streak as 7.5-point underdogs at home. As the underdog, they are 15-26 straight-up and 21-20 vs. the spread. The Bulls have been the underdog in 41 of their 70 games.
Chicago’s O/U record for the season is 38-31-1, and the over has hit in their last five games. This year, their games have averaged 225.8 points per game compared to today’s O/U line of 221.5.
In their last game, the Bulls lost to the Rockets by a score of 127-117. The O/U line for that game was 219.5. Chicago was getting 3.5 points going into the game.
Overall, the Bulls are 34-36 this season, which puts them in 9th place in the Eastern Conference. In the Central Division, they are 4th. Against other Eastern Conference teams, the Bulls are 18-22 and 16-14 in non-conference games.
At home, the Bulls are averaging 111.5 points per game this season, which is 23rd in the NBA. Overall, they are 21st in scoring at 112.1 points per game.
Chicago’s offense has been more efficient inside the arc, as they are 10th in two-point field goals made. However, they are just 25th in three-point shooting percentage at 35%.
So far this season, the Bulls have outscored the NBA scoring average in 41.4% of their games. In terms of pace, they are 23rd in the league at 97.1 possessions per game.
On the defensive side, Bulls is currently hovering around the NBA’s average for points allowed, conceding an average of 113.7 points per game. In terms of two point field goal attempts, the Bulls defense has allowed a shooting percentage of 56.2% while allowing 36.5% from downtown.
The Celtics enter this game as 7.5-point favorites and in our projections and we anticipate them winning by a score of 113-111.
Chicago Bulls vs Boston Celtics Betting Tips
- Take the Celtics on the moneyline
- On the spread, we like Bulls (+7.5)
- Projecting a combined 224 points, we like the over
Chicago Bulls Injury Report
- Zach LaVine – Ankle – Out
- Alex Caruso – Ankle – Probable
- Lonzo Ball – Knee – Out
- Coby White – Hip – Probable
- Patrick Williams – Foot – Out
- Julian Phillips – Foot – Out
Boston Celtics Injury Report
- Jrue Holiday – Shoulder – Out
- Al Horford – Toe – Out
- Jayson Tatum – Ankle – Out
