The Boston Celtics lost a heartbreaking game on Thursday night against the Milwaukee Bucks but will try to rebound on Saturday night. The Celtics will travel to Chicago to take on the rebuilding Chicago Bulls. Boston has blown out the Bulls by 20 points already twice this season, and the same should be expected in this game.
Boston was the preseason favorite in the Eastern Conference, but things have gone a little sideways for them. The Celtics are just 37-22 on the season and are in third place in the Atlantic Division. The Bulls aren’t worried about winning games at this point, and losses just improve their chances at the top pick in the NBA Draft. Boston is -10.5 over Chicago in this game.
Bulls Have Some Talent
Despite a terrible record, the Bulls actually do have some talent on their roster. Point guard Zach LaVine looks like the future face of the franchise and leads the team with 23.0 points per game. Forward Lauri Markkanen continues to show improvement and is averaging 18.5 points per game in his second season. Chicago recently added Otto Porter to the mix, and he has been terrific since arriving in Chicago.
Injuries have played a major role in the Bulls’ struggles this season, and they still are. Rookie Wendell Carter Jr. remains out with an injury, and the Bulls are without several key pieces in their backcourt. They are averaging just over 103 points per game this season, which is one of the worst scoring averages in the NBA. Look for the Bulls offense to struggle against a great defensive team in Boston.
Celtics Need More Scoring
Despite having a handful of All-Star players on their roster, the Boston Celtics continue to struggle to score consistently. Boston managed to put up just 97 points in their loss to the Bucks, and are averaging right around league average at 112.7 points per game. Boston has stayed near the top of the Eastern Conference with their terrific defense, holding opponents to just 106.4 points per contest.
Point guard Kyrie Irving has taken over the role of lead dog in the Celtics offense, putting up 23.5 points per game this season, while also dishing out 6.9 assists. Jayson Tatum has chipped in with 16.5 points per game, but the Celtics could use more scoring from their third-year star. Gordon Hayward continues to try to return to his old self after suffering a gruesome ankle injury and is averaging just 11 points per game. The lack of scoring won’t matter against the Bulls, but it might keep them from reaching the NBA Finals.
Celtics Beat Bulls in Chicago
The Celtics have won five straight games against the Bulls, and they have done so in convincing fashion. Boston hasn’t been playing well of late, but they are still way better than the Bulls. Winning this game doesn’t benefit the Bulls in any way, and they won’t be competitive on Saturday night. Bet the Boston Celtics -10.5 over the Chicago Bulls in this game.
