Check out our free Bulls vs Celtics pick and preview for this NBA game in Boston. See who we like to win and cover the spread in this NBA matchup.
Bulls vs Celtics NBA Pick & Preview
- Sport: NBA
- Teams: Chicago Bulls at Boston Celtics
- Where: Boston at TD Garden
- Date: Monday, January 9th
- Betting Odds BOS -8.5, CHI +292 | BOS -375 O/U 237.0
The Bulls come into today’s matchup with an overall record of 19-21. So far, the team has gone 21-19-0 against the spread. Over the team’s 3 game win streak, they have an average scoring differential of 10.33 points per game.
Chicago is going for yet another win, as they previously defeated the Jazz. With the 126-118 victory, they also covered the spread as 2 point underdogs. Chicago went into halftime with a narrow 4 point lead before being able to slightly add to that margin by the games end. Leading the team in scoring was Zach LaVine, as he contributed 36 points while hitting 57.1% of his shots.
The Celtics come into today’s matchup with an overall record of 28-12. So far, the team has gone 21-18-1 against the spread. In today’s game, Boston will look to extend their 2 game winning streak. Over this stretch, they have an average scoring margin of 17.0 points.
The Celtics are coming off a 121-116 win over the Spurs. Although they came away with a straight up win, it was not enough to cover the spread as they entered as 15 point favorites. Boston went on to win the game, as they led by 11 heading into halftime. In the win, Jayson Tatum led the team in scoring with 34 points on a field goal percentage of 50.0%.
Head To Head Recap & Stats
I Similar to their season-long average, the Bulls averaged 111.33 points per game vs the Celtics. Similar to the Bulls, the Celtics scored at a rate near the league average. In their games vs Chicago, the team averaged 115.0 points per game. The level of competition has been tight in the 5 most recent games between Bulls and Celtics with just 1 points per game separating the teams. Chicago has the ATS edge in this span at 4-1. Over the course of these games, they averaged 225 points per game, leading a 2-3 over-under record.
Odds & Free Betting Analysis For This NBA Game
The Chicago offense will take the floor in today’s game with the league’s 12th ranked offense at 115.0 points per game. In terms of pace, the Bulls are on the top units in the NBA, averaging 100.4 possessions per game. Thus far, the team’s faced paced style of play has helped their overall numbers, as they are currently the 8th team in made field goals per contest.
On defense, the Bulls will look for some improved play, as they are currently the 17th ranked unit in points allowed per game.
Small-Forward DeMar DeRozan currently leads the Bulls at 26.4 points per game. For the season, he is 27th in the NBA in usage rate and has taken 21.3% of the team’s field goal attempts. In addition to his scoring, DeRozan is averaging 5.1 boards and 5.0 assists per contest. In today’s game, he is facing off against the NBA’s 21st ranked defense at defending small-forwards. Zach LaVine enters the game sitting second on the team in scoring. Through 36 games, he is averaging 23.3 and is 79th in the league in player efficiency rating.
The Boston offense will take the floor in today’s game with the league’s 1st ranked offense at 118.8 points per game. When looking at the team’s pace of play, the Celtics are currently below the league average in possessions per game, averaging just 100.0 per contest. Even though the team has preferred to play at a slower pace, their effective field goal percentage of 56.7% has helped them with their overall scoring numbers.
Against the Bulls, the Celtics will look to continue their strong defensive play. For the year, they are the 1st ranked unit at 104.48 points per game.
On offense, Jayson Tatum leads the Celtics in scoring at 30.8 points per game, placing him 5th in the NBA. Overall, Tatum has hit 47.2% of his shots while accounting for 24.3% of the team’s looks from the field. In today’s game, he will be working against a defensive unit that is 9th in points allowed to power-fowards. At 27.0 points per game, Jaylen Brown is the 2nd leading scorer for the Celtics. For the season, he is 45th in the league in player efficiency rating, while posting a field goal percentage of 49.7%.
Bulls vs Celtics Pick
- Free Spread Prediction: Bulls +8.5
- Free Total Prediction: Over 237.0
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