The Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics are each 2-1 in Group C of the Eastern Conference, and a victory Friday night would be crucial on the path to winning the Group and advancing to the knockout stage of the NBA Cup.
My Celtics vs. Bulls predictions expect Boston’s superstar duo to dominate on the road in a high-scoring matchup. Read my NBA picks to see how Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum can hit the Over on their combo props and why you should take the Over on a lofty point total in the Windy City.
Celtics vs Bulls prediction
My best bet
Jaylen Brown Over 34.5 points+rebounds+assists (-115 at bet365)
My analysis
Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown is enjoying one of the most productive statistical seasons of his career, with averages of 25 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.4 assists. The points and rebounds are the second-most of his career, and the assists are a career-high.
The Chicago Bulls have allowed the most points, most assists, and fifth-most rebounds this season, making this an extremely favorable matchup for Brown. Last season, he hit the Over in one of his two matchups against the Bulls and averaged 37.5 PRAs. In his last four at Chicago, Brown averaged 32.5 PRAs, hit the Over once, and totaled exactly 34 PRAs once.
Brown has hit the Over on this line in two of his last three and in 10 of 14 on the season. That’s good for 71.4% of his games, giving us discounted odds at -115. Brown has averaged 35 PRAs at home and 37 on the road, and six of his 10 Overs have come away from TD Garden.
Brown has been even more productive over his last seven games, averaging 37.3 PRAs and hitting the Over five times. The point total is set at a whopping 241.5, and I’m expecting the Over to hit. That means Brown should enjoy plenty of opportunities to rack up points, rebounds, and assists. I love the Over on this line.
Celtics vs Bulls same-game parlay
Jaylen Brown Over 34.5 points+rebounds+assists
Jayson Tatum double-double
Over 241.5
I strongly considered taking Jayson Tatum to hit the Over on his 41.5 PRAs line, but at -115 odds, I decided that I could do better. Tatum leads Boston in rebounds at 8.2, and he gets a matchup with a Bulls team that’s allowing the most boards per game this season.
Tatum has averaged 8.6 boards on the road compared to 7.9 at home. He’s got five double-doubles this season, and three of them have come on the road. Over his last eight, Tatum has averaged 9.5 boards and compiled four double-doubles. He’s pulled down at least nine boards in six of eight, and I fully expect him to capitalize on a stellar matchup tonight for plus-money odds.
This is quite a lofty point total, but I like these teams to hit the Over tonight. Chicago is 12-8 to the Over this season, and Boston is 9-8-1. The Over has hit in each of the last three head-to-head matchups between these teams and four of the last six. Chicago is 4-3 to the Over across its last seven, and Boston is 5-2 in that span.
The Celtics have averaged the third-most points per game this season (120.2), and the Bulls have averaged the fifth-most (118). Boston has averaged 122 on the road, and the Bulls have dropped 125.7 points per game across their last three. Chicago has allowed the most points per game, setting this game up to be high-scoring. Over their three NBA Cup games, the Bulls have averaged 254.3 points and gone Over 241.5 twice.
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Celtics vs Bulls odds
Celtics vs Bulls live odds
Celtics vs Bulls opening odds
- Spread: Boston -9.5 (-110) | Chicago +9.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Boston (-450) | Chicago (+333)
- Over/Under: Over 238.5 (-110) | Under 238.5 (-110)
Odds courtesy of bet365
Celtics vs Bulls spread and Over/Under analysis
- Boston has won six in a row but covered just twice in that span, bringing the team’s ATS record to 8-10.
- Chicago has traded wins and losses, winning and covering in three games across its last seven and sporting a 9-11 ATS record.
- The Bulls have hit the Over in four of their last seven games, and the team is 12-8 to the Over on the season.
- The Celtics have hit the Over four times in their six-game win streak, moving from 9-8-1 to the Over on the season.
Celtics vs Bulls trend
The Celtics are 4-0 straight up across the last four meetings, sporting a 3-1 record ATS. Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. Bulls.
How to watch Celtics vs Bulls
| Location: | United Center, Chicago, IL |
| Date: | Friday, 11-29-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | NBC Sports Boston, Chicago Sports Network |
Celtics vs Bulls latest injuries
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