Bulls vs. Celtics: NBA odds, Picks and Predictions
Bulls vs. Celtics Odds
| Bulls Odds | +8.5 |
| Celtics Odds | -8.5 |
| Over/Under | 238 |
| Date | Mon, Jan. 9 |
| Time | 7:30 p.m. |
| TV | NBA TV |
Following a thrilling conclusion to the NFL regular season, bettors will turn their attention back towards the hardwood on Monday for a six-game NBA slate, including the Chicago Bulls against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Entering play, Boston owns the best record in the Eastern Conference, with Chicago trailing in the standings by nine games. Oddsmakers are expecting a relatively comfortable win for the Celtics this evening, pricing Boston as 8.5-point home favorites on the spread.
Chicago Bulls
Struggles away from the Windy City
During the first half of the campaign, Chicago is 11-9 at home, but only 8-12 on the road, where they are being outscored by 2.8 points per 100 possessions. Much of the Bulls’ hardships away from home can be attributable to an inability to get consistent stops, allowing a 116.0 points per 100 possessions – ranking 21st out of 30 teams in defensive efficiency. Chicago has been particularly poor defending the perimeter in these situations, ranking 26th in opponent three-point attempts per game and 25th in opponent three-point percentage. Facing a Boston offense that is attempting the second-most shots from beyond-the-arc this season, Chicago’s defense is likely in for a long night.
Resurgence of Zach LaVine
Following a slow start to the year, “(player-popup #zach-lavine)Zach LaVine”:/players/zach-lavine-18622’s name started appearing in trade rumors, and many pundits wondered whether or not he was truly healthy. In November, he averaged only 20.5 points per game on 39.9% shooting from the floor – numbers that were far below his production levels from recent seasons. However, he publicly declared that he was getting healthier at the beginning of December, before he went on to average 24.5 points on 52.1% shooting for the month. In four games since the calendar flipped to 2023, he is averaging 29.0 points per game on 53.6% shooting from the field. Even in a tough matchup, expect LaVine to be a significant contributor on the offensive end of the floor on Monday.
Boston Celtics
Marcus Smart listed as doubtful
On this morning’s injury report, Marcus Smart was listed as doubtful with a left knee contusion. Per Cleaning the Glass, Boston ranks in the 87th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 68th percentile in defensive efficiency when Smart is on the floor this season. When he is on the sidelines, they still rank in the 88th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 75th percentile in defensive efficiency – meaning that his likely absence in this spot is far from a death sentence.
Who will step up in place of Smart?
Per CourtIQ, both Malcolm Brogdon and Derrick White receive a modest boost in usage when Smart is off of the floor. In his last two games with Smart in street clothes, Brogdon is averaging 15.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game, with double-digit field goal attempts in both contests. White’s production has been far more volatile in these situations, scoring as many as 26 points, but as few as two points.
Bulls vs. Celtics – Picks & Predictions
In 20 home games this year, the Boston Celtics are averaging 121.0 points per 100 possessions, and averaging over 100 possessions per game. This evening, they will host a Chicago Bulls team that ranks in the bottom-third of the league in defensive efficiency and opponent three-point percentage on the road, while also playing at a pace that is quicker than league average. Assuming Boston can knock-down open looks from the perimeter, they are likely to end up with an extremely high point total to begin the new week – take the over on their team total.
PICK: Boston Celtics Team Total o122.5 points (-115, MGM)
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