The Chicago Bulls (14-26) will travel to TD Garden to challenge the Boston Celtics (26-11). The Celtics opened as 9.5-point favorites. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 215.5 points and it begins at 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, January 13, 2020.
Chicago Bulls at Boston Celtics ATS Odds
Both teams covered in their last matchup. The Celtics (11.5-point favorites) defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 140-105, while the Bulls (4-point underdog) beat the Detroit Pistons 108-99. The Boston game went 22 points over the projected point total of 223, while the Chicago game finished 8 points under the projected point total of 215.
The Bulls forced 19 turnovers and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.572 (above their season average of 0.502). Boston, meanwhile, played a perfect game. They had a fantastically low turnover percentage of 8.5 (better than their season average of 11.8) and a free throw rate of 0.160 (matching their season average). New Orleans had marks of 12.9 and 0.110, respectively, for those same stats. Boston’s Jayson Tatum had a solid performance, putting up 41 points and six rebounds. Zach LaVine, meanwhile was a key piece for Chicago with 25 points and six assists.
In their first matchup this year, Tatum led the Celtics to a 111-104 win. He recorded 28 points and seven rebounds. The two teams combined to put up 215 points, which was over the projected point total of 208, and Boston covered as a 1-point underdog. Boston had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (33.3 vs. 26.2). Chicago, on the other hand, did an excellent job of making free throws (23-31; 74.2 percent).
Vegas is exceedingly accurate when setting the total of Bulls games, with an even split between overs and unders. Chicago heads into the game with records of 14-26 straight up (SU) and 19-21 against the spread (ATS).
Of the Celtics’ 37 games, 21 have finished under the total. Additionally, Boston owns records of 26-11 SU and 21-15-1 ATS.
Boston appears to have the edge on the defensive side of the ball. The Celtics currently rank seventh in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.507), while Chicago is 25th in effective field goal percentage (0.504).
Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics ATS Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Celtics, ATS Winner – Bulls, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Boston ranks sixth in blocks per game (5.8) while Chicago ranks 29th in blocks allowed per game (6.4).
- The Celtics rank fourth in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.7) while the Bulls rank 18th (17.6).
- Boston ranks third in points allowed in the paint per game (42.5) while Chicago ranks 15th (48.2).
- Chicago ranks sixth in fast break points per game (15.2) while Boston ranks 13th in fast break points allowed per game (12.8).
- The Celtics rank fourth in steals allowed per game (6.8) while the Bulls rank 25th (8.3).
- The Bulls average 35.4 three pointers per game, which ranks ninth in the league. The Celtics rank 18th in three pointers allowed per game (34.0).
- Boston ranks ninth in rebounds allowed per game (44.4) while Chicago ranks 26th (47.1).
- Boston is 9-2 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Chicago is 5-2.
- In games where they reach 100 points, the Bulls are 14-15 and the Celtics are 25-5.
- Boston is 10-8 ATS at home, while Chicago is 10-9 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone over in 10 of the Bulls’ 19 road games, while 9 of the Celtics’ 18 home games have gone over.
Bettings Trends:
- The Celtics are 2-3 ATS over their last five games, while the Bulls are 1-4.
- In their last five games, Boston has 3 overs and 2 unders, while Chicago has 4 overs and 1 under.
- During their last five games, the Celtics have scored an average of 111.4 points per game (0.0 above their season average) and allowed an average of 109.2 points per game (4.8 above their season average).
- The Bulls’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 6.4, up from 1.8 for the season.
