Just about a month ago, these two teams squared off in Boston with the Celtics upsetting the Bulls, 105-100 thanks to a double-double from Jared Sullinger and seven different Celtics registering double digits. Boston will look for the win again, this time at the United Center where the Bulls have played .750 ball for the year.
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ODDS ANALYSIS
Chicago enters play at just 13-19 ATS and 7-12 ATS at home. The Bulls are a very strong team SU, save for a stretch of four losses in five games back in late December. Despite that, more often than not, they’ve failed to live up to the expectations placed on them by the oddsmakers.
On the other side of the court, Boston is 19-15 SU and ATS including a 10-6 ATS mark on the road.
WHEN THE BOSTON CELTICS ARE ON OFFENSE
Offensively, the Celtics are averaging 102.9 PPG, to rank seventh in the NBA in scoring, but they thrive more on quantity over quality. They’re shooting just 43.5 percent from the floor and are worse behind the arc, ranking No. 25 in the NBA.
Boston is, however, a top-10 rebounding team with 44.8 RPG helping create a number of second chances on offense.
The Celtics guards do a lot of the damage scoring. Isiah Thomas leads the team in scoring with 20.9 PPG and is also very good at setting up teammates with 6.8 APG as well.
Boston will be at a disadvantage without Avery Bradley as a strong No. 2 guard to Thomas. Avery missed the last game with a hip injury after playing just 10 minutes and scoring only two points against Brooklyn last time out.
Prior to the injury, Avery was averaging 14.7 PPG, second most on the team.
Even with Avery out, the team still possesses scorers evidenced by the seven different Celtics with double digit points against Chicago last time they met.
The Celtics will certainly be tested on offense with the Bulls holding all opposition to an NBA low 41.7 percent from the floor, though they are allowing 99.8 PPG.
To overcome Chicago again, Boston will need Evan Turner and Marcus Smart to fill the gap left by Bradley while Jae Crowder, Jared Sullinger and center Kelly Olynyk are each scoring at least nine a game and will need to win the rebounding battle.
Keep an eye on how the big men fair down low. If they can establish themselves inside the paint, they’ve got a good chance against the Bulls. If that’s the case, take Boston to cover on the road.
WHEN THE CHICAGO BULLS ARE ON OFFENSE
Back in December, most of the Bulls’ stumbled in their game against Boston, but one did not: Jimmy Butler.
The star Chicago guard shot 12-for-24 from the floor with 12 free throws for 36-points in the loss. He also contributed on the glass with seven rebounds.
Overall, Butler is averaging 21.8 PPG and he combined with the inconsistent, but talented Derrick Rose, to form a strong backcourt that matches up well with the Avery-less Celtics. Rose, however, has an injury concern of his own thanks to his hamstrings.
In the frontcourt, the Bulls lean on Pau Gasol to be the big force down low. The 7-foot power forward is averaging a double-double with 16.4 PPG and 10.7 RPG. Over his last eight games, he’s topped 20-points four times not including his 19 point performance against Toronto on Sunday.
Chicago will be playing against a very strong Boston defense that’s allowing 99 PPG on average and allowing the opposition to shoot just 42.9 percent from the floor.
Sullinger also thrives on the defensive end with rebounds. He’s averaging 9.2 RPG and last time the Celtics played the Bulls, he recorded 16 rebounds, 11 of which came on the defensive side of the floor.
If Gasol and company can slow Sullinger down and force this to be a battle played more around the perimeter, look for Butler to take control.
BETTING TRENDS AND MATCHUPS
Boston won the last game between these two teams, but Chicago has won five straight after taking care of business against the Bucks Tuesday night.
The Bulls will have not only home court advantage, but also the most rest on Thursday. Chicago played with one-day rest while the Celtics will journey from Boston to Chicago following a Wednesday night game against the Pistons.
The Celtics snapped a brief two game losing streak SU and ATS with a win in Brooklyn on Monday. Boston has own and covered five of its last seven games.
Both teams represent rather balanced teams offensively and defensively with their last game giving us a good glimpse into what to expect this time around. A lot of this game will hinge on who Chicago gets to step up alongside Butler and Gasol. If Rose is healthy and productive early, take the home team and bank on the over.
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Don’t miss out on getting paid because you couldn’t bet, click here and deposit at BookMaker now! The contest between the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls will take place Thursday, January 7, 2015, at 8 p.m. ET at the United Center. The contest will be broadcast nationally on TNT.
