The Boston Celtics face the Chicago Bulls on Monday night at TD Garden, looking to win their fourth straight game. Boston enters with a 22-12 record after a 146-115 victory over the Clippers, while the 17-18 Bulls come off a 112-99 loss to the Hornets. The Celtics are favored by 10.5 points in this Eastern Conference clash.
The matchup tips off at 7:30 p.m. ET, with Boston holding a commanding all-time series lead of 137-110, including victories in six of the last seven meetings. The Celtics, second in the Atlantic Division, boast a strong 10-5 home record this season. Chicago, third in the Central Division, struggles on the road at 7-9.
Recent form underscores Boston's momentum. They crushed the Clippers on Saturday, showcasing their league-leading offensive rating of 123.0 over the last 10 games and averaging 128.6 points in their past five outings. The Bulls, meanwhile, snapped a brief skid with a win over the Hornets but rank 26th in points allowed per game at 121.8 and second in tempo at 102.5 possessions per game, potentially opening the floor for Boston's efficient attack.
Injuries impact both sides. Chicago's Josh Giddey is out with a hamstring issue, while Boston's Jayson Tatum sits due to an Achilles injury. Jaylen Brown has been scorching, averaging 32.7 points over his last nine games, including a 50-point explosion against the Clippers. Projections have Brown at 30.3 points and Coby White at 20.7 for Chicago.
Betting lines list the over/under at 236.5 points, with models favoring the over based on recent trends: it has hit in four of the last seven head-to-heads, two of Chicago's last three, and three of Boston's last five. Both teams are 7-3 against the spread in their past 10. This game could highlight Boston's offensive firepower against Chicago's pace-driven style, influencing Eastern Conference positioning early in 2026.
