The Celtics are hosting the Bulls on Monday night. Boston is favored by 14.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook, with the game total set at 232.5 points.
Let’s get into my pick and prediction for this contest.
Celtics vs. Bulls prediction, preview
After blowing a 22-point lead in the season opener against the Pistons, the Celtics redeemed themselves in their second contest by knocking off the defending-champion Knicks on Friday, 107-103.
Jayson Tatum was brilliant in the win, posting 36 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Twenty-five of Tatum’s points came in the second half, including some clutch buckets in the final minutes.
Paul George also added 15 points after going off for 38 in the season opener. Beyond his offense, George has been a menace on defense, racking up seven steals and 16 deflections in just two games, which ranks fourth in the NBA.
With Tatum, George, Derrick White and Mitchell Robinson at the helm, Boston has an elite defense that should give the Bulls’ weak offense fits on Monday. Chicago is 1-2 and ranks 28th in offensive rating.
Norman Powell has been doing everything he can, averaging 19.3 points per game. Caleb Wilson has improved in each game, scoring 16, 21 and 30 points. However, Josh Giddey has been a shell of himself, scoring single digits in every game and shooting 27% from the field. Last season, Giddey averaged 17 PPG on 45% shooting.
The Bulls lack offensive threats outside Powell, Wilson, and Giddey, and the latter needs to snap out of this funk if Chicago wants to compete. In the 78 minutes Giddey has played this season, the Bulls have a pitiful -25.8 net rating. His struggles could continue on the road against the Celtics, and if they do, this game could get out of hand quickly.
Celtics vs. Bulls pick, best bet
The Celtics regained confidence with their win over the Knicks on Friday and had the weekend to recharge. Meanwhile, the Bulls lost to the Wizards on Saturday night. Boston was 13-4 with a rest advantage last season, with an 11-point average margin of victory. The Celtics should cruise to an easy home win Monday night.
Boston -14.5 is a viable wager, but I am more inclined to back under 232.5 points. The Celtics rank dead last in pace this season after finishing 30th in the metric a year ago, and their defense should give the Bulls’ offense major issues. Boston is a league-best 58-33 for the under over the last two seasons, and 232.5 points is just too high a number for this matchup.
