The Boston Celtics (21-6) travel to face off against the Chicago Bulls (13-15) on Saturday, December 21st. This game will be played at United Center in Chicago and televised on NBCS. The Bulls are coming off a win in their previous game, while the Celtics are looking to get back on track from a loss to the Celtics. Tip-off is set for 8:00 ET.

Celtics vs Bulls

The Celtics Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

The Celtics dropped to 21-6 on the season after a 117-108 loss to the Bulls on Thursday. Boston, who were -14.5 point favorites at home, not only lost the game but also failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game were 225, falling short of the 240.5 O/U line.

Boston led 86-82 going into the 4th quarter, but the Bulls went on a 12-0 run to take control, outscoring the Celtics 35-22 in the final period.

The Bulls Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

Chicago improved to 13-15 on the season after a 117-108 road win over the Celtics on Thursday. The Bulls, who entered the game as +9 point underdogs, not only pulled off the upset but also covered the spread. The total points for the game were 225, falling short of the 240.5 O/U line.

Chicago’s big moment came in the 4th quarter. Trailing 86-82, they outscored Boston 35-22 in the final period, including a decisive 12-0 run that turned a 90-90 tie into a 102-90 lead.

Celtics Offense Breakdown

In their 117-108 loss to the Bulls, the Celtics struggled offensively, shooting just 39.2% from the field and 25% from three-point range, making 14 threes overall. Jayson Tatum led the way with 31 points and 10 rebounds, hitting 4 threes at a 36.4% clip.

Kristaps Porzingis contributed 20 points, and Jaylen Brown added 19, scoring 11 in the 4th quarter. Tatum also had 12 points in both the 1st and 3rd quarters, while Derrick White finished with 16 points, including 8 in the 2nd quarter.

Bulls Offense Breakdown

Zach LaVine’s 36 points and 6 made threes at 54.5% shooting led the Bulls to a win over the Celtics, with LaVine adding 13 points in the 2nd quarter and 9 more in the 4th. Ayo Dosunmu contributed 17 points and 8 rebounds, hitting 3 threes at 60% efficiency, while Nikola Vucevic added 16 points and 14 rebounds, shooting 77.8% from the field.

The Bulls connected on 19 threes as a team, shooting 36.5% from deep and 44.7% overall. LaVine hit 6 threes, and Dosunmu added 3 more, scoring 9 points in the final quarter.

Celtics Team Defense

Defensively, the Celtics started strong in the 1st quarter, allowing just 21 points, but struggled in the 2nd and 4th, giving up 33 and 35 points, respectively, in their 117-108 loss to the Bulls. Boston held Chicago to 44% shooting overall.

The Celtics allowed 19 threes on 36% shooting from deep and sent the Bulls to the line 16 times, where they made 14 free throws. Boston finished with 34 defensive rebounds, while allowing 11 offensive boards, and added 6 steals and 8 blocks.

Bulls Team Defense

Despite a solid defensive start, the Celtics struggled in the 2nd and 4th quarters, giving up 33 and 35 points, respectively, leading to a 117-108 loss to the Bulls. Boston allowed Chicago to shoot 44% from the field.

The Bulls made 19 threes at a 36% rate. Boston sent Chicago to the line 16 times, where they hit 14 free throws. The Celtics grabbed 34 defensive rebounds, allowing 11 offensive boards, and added 6 steals and 8 blocks.

Celtics vs Bulls Trends

• Through their last three road games, Boston has an ATS record of just 0-3. However, their overall record was 2-1 while averaging 120 points per game.
• Chicago has played well in their previous three home games, going 3-0 straight up. In this stretch, they averaged 126 points per game while allowing 117. The team also performed well vs the spread at 2-0-1.
• Spanning across their last five games as the betting underdog, the Bulls have gone 3-2 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 2-3.
• In their last ten games as the betting favorite, the Celtics have a straight up record of 8-2 and an ATS mark of 3-7.

Celtics vs Bulls Prediction

For a pick on the point-spread in this Celtics vs. Bulls matchup, our bet is to grab the Bulls at +11.5. Even though our projections have the Celtics winning 142-140, we see the Bulls as the play on the point-spread.

As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 243.5, and our model projects the Celtics and Bulls to reach a combined total of 282 points. Our bet is on taking the over.

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All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

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* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.