The league’s top shooting defense will be on the road at United Center, when the Boston Celtics (14-10) take on the Chicago Bulls (6-20). Action gets underway at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 8, 2018, and can be seen on WGN Channel 9.
Boston Celtics vs. Chicago Bulls ATS Odds
The Celtics won big over the New York Knicks in their last outing, 128-100, comfortably covering as 13-point favorites. The Bulls, on the other hand, beat the Oklahoma City Thunder,114-112, but were not able to cover as 8-point favorites. Both games finished over their projected point totals. The Boston game went 9.5 points over the projected point total of 218.5, while the Chicago game went 15 points over the projected point total of 211.
Boston played a nearly flawless game. They had an extraordinarily low turnover percentage of 8.2 (better than their season average of 11.7) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.603 (above their season average of 0.517). For those same stats, New York put up marks of 13.8 and 0.462, respectively. The Bulls, on the other hand, had a superb effective field goal percentage of 0.598 (above their season average of 0.496) and had a free throw rate of 0.195 (above their season average of 0.182). Chicago was led by Lauri Markkanen, who put up 24 points and seven rebounds. Al Horford played a key role for Boston with 19 points and 12 rebounds.
In their first matchup this year, Kyrie Irving led the Celtics to a 111-82 win. He recorded 17 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds. The two teams combined to score 193 points, which was well under the projected point total of 212.5, and Boston covered as a 13-point favorite. The Celtics’ 11.9 turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over the Bulls, who had a mark of 20.0.
Games involving the Celtics tend to finish over the total (58.3 percent). Boston comes into the game with records of 14-10 straight up (SU) and 11-13 against the spread (ATS).
Contrary to Boston, games involving the Bulls tend to go under the O/U total (68.0 percent). Moreover, Chicago is 6-20 SU and 12-13 ATS.
The inefficient offense of Chicago will face off against the top-notch defense of Boston. The Bulls currently rank 30th in offensive efficiency, while the Celtics are second in defensive efficiency. The Celtics figure to have the edge on that side of the ball.
Boston Celtics vs. Chicago Bulls ATS Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Bulls, ATS Winner – Bulls, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Celtics rank 5 in fast break points allowed per game (10.916666666666666) while the Bulls rank 14 (13.692307692307692).
- Boston ranks second in blocks allowed per game (3.8) while Chicago ranks 28th (6.7).
- The Celtics rank second in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.0) while the Bulls rank 19th (17.7).
- Boston ranks 13th in rebounds per game (45.8) while Chicago ranks last in rebounds allowed per game (49.3).
- Boston ranks 4 in points allowed in the paint per game (43.916666666666664) while Chicago ranks 15 (48.46153846153846).
- The Celtics average 36.1 three pointers per game, which ranks third in the league. The Bulls rank 25th in three pointers allowed per game (34.0).
- The Celtics rank 4 in assists allowed per game (21.625) while the Bulls rank 20 (24.692307692307693).
- Boston is 25 in the league with 12 second chance points per game while Chicago is 29 with 9.692307692307692 second chance points per game.
- Boston ranks fourth in steals allowed per game (6.8) while Chicago ranks 21st (8.4).
- In games where they hold opponents under 100 points, Boston is 6-2 and Chicago is 2-2.
- The Bulls are 4-11 when they reach 100 points, while the Celtics are 14-7.
- Chicago is 7-5 ATS at home, while Boston is 5-9 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone under in 9 of the Bulls’ 12 home games, while 8 of the Celtics’ 14 road games have gone over.
Bettings Trends:
- The Celtics are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Bulls are 3-2.
- In their last five games, Boston has 5 overs, while Chicago has 4 unders and 1 over.
- The Celtics\u2019 average margin of victory in their last five games has been 15.6, up from 5.4 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Bulls have scored an average of 102.0 points per game (1.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 110.4 points per game (1.9 below their season average).
