The NBA’s top scoring defense will be on the road at United Center, when the Boston Celtics (24-8) square off with the Chicago Bulls (13-22). The game is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 4, 2020.
Boston Celtics at Chicago Bulls Betting Odds
The last time the Celtics played, they narrowly defeated the Atlanta Hawks, 109-106, as 7.5-point underdogs. The Bulls, on the other hand, were defeated by the Utah Jazz, 102-98, and were not able to cover as 3.5-point underdogs. The Boston game went 5 points over the projected point total of 210, while the Chicago game went 9 points under the projected point total of 209.
Boston played a nearly flawless game. They had an offensive rebounding percentage of 25.0 (above their season average of 23.9) and a free throw rate of 0.226 (above their season average of 0.195). For those same stats, Atlanta was 12.5 and 0.129, respectively. Chicago, meanwhile, had a much better turnover percentage (9.0 vs. 16.6). Chicago’s Wendell Carter Jr. led the way, putting up 18 points and 13 rebounds. Boston, meanwhile, rallied around Jaylen Brown, who finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds.
The Celtics captured this series last year, winning two out of three games. In the last game, Chicago won 126-116. Chicago’s rebounding was their largest advantage. The Bulls had more offensive rebounds (11 vs. 6), defensive rebounds (38 vs. 26) and total rebounds (49 vs. 32). This is the first time these teams will go head-to-head this year.
Of the Celtics’ 31 games that accepted bets, 18 have gone under the O/U total. Boston heads into the game with records of 24-8 straight up (SU) and 19-11-1 against the spread (ATS).
Much like Boston, games including the Bulls have a slight tendency to go under the O/U total (54.3 percent). Further, Chicago owns records of 13-22 SU and 18-17 ATS.
Chicago might struggle to put up points as they face off against one of the league’s best defenses. Boston currently ranks third in defensive efficiency while the Bulls rank 28th in offensive efficiency.
Boston Celtics at Chicago Bulls Free Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – Bulls, ATS Winner – Bulls, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Celtics average 14.9 fast break points per game, which ranks seventh in the NBA. The Bulls rank 10th in fast break points allowed per game (12.3).
- Boston ranks first in steals allowed per game (6.6) while Chicago ranks 25th (8.4).
- The Celtics rank ninth in rebounds allowed per game (44.3) while the Bulls rank 26th (47.4).
- Chicago ranks eighth in three pointers attempted per game (35.4) while Boston ranks 20th in three pointers allowed per game (34.4).
- Chicago averages 13.4 second chance points per game, which ranks 13th in the league. Boston ranks 17th in second chance points allowed per game (13.2).
- The Celtics average 6.2 blocks per game, which ranks sixth in the league. The Bulls rank 26th in blocks allowed per game (6.5).
- The Celtics rank third in points allowed in the paint per game (42.4) while the Bulls rank 12th (47.3).
- Boston ranks second in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.3) while Chicago ranks 19th (17.5).
- When holding opponents under 100 points, Chicago is 4-2 and Boston is 9-1.
- The Celtics are 23-4 when they reach the century mark, while the Bulls are 13-11.
- Chicago is 9-10 ATS at home, while Boston is 10-5-1 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone under in 10 of the Celtics’ 16 road games, while 11 of the Bulls’ 19 home games have gone under.
Bettings Trends:
- The Celtics are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Bulls are 2-3.
- In their last five games, Boston has 3 overs and 2 unders, while Chicago has 3 unders and 2 overs.
- During their last five games, the Celtics have scored an average of 112.4 points per game (1.0 above their season average) and allowed an average of 106.0 points per game (2.3 above their season average).
- The Bulls have outscored opponents by an average of 2.8 points in their last five games. For the season, Chicago has been defeated by an average of 1.1 points.
