Boston Celtics at Chicago Bulls odds, picks and predictions

Ethan Matthew | Staff Writer

The Boston Celtics (43-12) face the Chicago Bulls (26-29) on Thursday. Tip-off from the United Center is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Celtics vs. Bulls odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.

Season series: Celtics lead 1-0 after 124-97 home win on Nov. 28

The Celtics are the top seed in the Eastern Conference and are coming off a 136-86 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday. Boston has scored more than 115 points in 5 of its last 6 games.

The Bulls are currently in 9th place in the East and based on how bad the teams behind them are, I like their chances to make the play-in. They lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday 108-105 despite leading by 5 in the 4th quarter and they were tied with 1 minute to go. At least the Bulls covered as 8.5 point underdogs.

Celtics at Bulls odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:46 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Celtics -300 (bet $300 to win $100) | Bulls +240 (bet $100 to win $240)
Against the spread (ATS): Celtics -7.5 (-110) | Bulls +7.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 224.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Celtics at Bulls key injuries

Celtics

G Jaden Springer (ankle) questionable

Bulls

F Torrey Craig (knee) out
F Patrick Williams (foot) out

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

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Celtics at Bulls picks and predictions

Prediction

Celtics 119, Bulls 114

Moneyline

Boston sits at +260 to win the NBA Finals, and lead the league in average scoring margin (10.1 points). That's one of many reasons to back the Celtics, but at this price it is best to PASS.

Against the spread

These Bulls against these Celtics seem like a perfect spot to pick the favorite. But in this matchup Chicago has an edge. When playing as a home underdog the Bulls have the 3rd best record ATS (7-3-1).

On the flip side the Celtics are just 9-12-3 ATS as an away favorite. Since the books are juicing Boston right now that's another reason I like the value in Chicago.

LEAN BULLS (+7.5) -110.

Over/Under

The Celtics lead the league in 3-point shots attempted per game (42.7) and made (16.2), which is great for the Over. But on top of that the Bulls allow the most 3-point shots from their opponent (39.1) and the 2nd most baskets from behind the arc (14.3).

And if the Bulls are playing from behind it helps that Boston's 3-point defense (27th in 3-point attempts allowed) is much worse than their 2-point defense (3rd lowest 2-point field goal percentage).

BET OVER 224.5 (-110).

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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