The Boston Celtics are hoping for a measure of revenge, and they won’t have to wait long to try to get it. The Celtics were defeated by the Chicago Bulls earlier this season but get a rematch this time around on their home court.
The expectations are higher this season for Boston but it’s the Bulls who have started the season undefeated in their first two games. The Celtics are 2-1 and will try to even the season series against Chicago. Despite the loss in the first matchup, Boston should be the favorite at home in this one.
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Odds Analysis
The Bulls have covered the spread in each of their first two games and are scoring at a higher clip than expected, averaging 111.5 points through the first two games. Chicago is projected to be battling for a playoff berth but the additions of Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo have paid dividends early on.
The Celtics are 1-2 against the spread this season and they failed to cover in their first home game, although Boston did come away with a 122-117 win over the Brooklyn Nets.
Even though Chicago has been impressive, the oddsmakers aren’t going to make any kneejerk changes as it is Boston which is expected to be the team to beat in this one.
Player to Watch
Rajon Rondo -- The Bulls point guard is immensely talented but his career has been inconsistent. There are games where he looks like and All-Star and others where he is disinterested.
A motivated Rondo is an important piece, and early in the season he’s doing a nice job. Rondo is averaging 5.0 points, 11.0 assists and 4.5 rebounds per contest. He is second in the league in assists early on and will aim to set up teammates like Wade and Jimmy Butler for easy scores throughout the year.
Rondo can also be a solid defender, and he will have the tough task of matchup against Isiah Thomas for the Celtics.
Key stat
Plus-15. That was the plus-minus of Wade in the first matchup between the Bulls and Celtics, as his presence on the floor was a boon for Chicago. Wade finished the game with 22 points, six assists and five rebounds.
There are legitimate questions as to how much of a difference-maker Wade is at this point in his career, but he’s started nicely and has been a nice option alongside Butler.
Boston will aim to have a better gameplan against Wade this time out, but he has the talent to put up good numbers once again.
Free NBA ATS Picks
The Bulls are playing well, but they will need to keep it up for a longer stretch in order to turn people into believers. The scoring figures to come down moving forward, but a win in Boston would really open some eyes.
However, the Celtics lost a close one on the road to Chicago and has otherwise played well, so a win in this one looks likely. Thomas is averaging 24.7 points and 6.7 assists on the season and is leading the way as the team brings back most of its core but is still working Al Horford into the fold.
These teams may be pretty close in talent level, but the Celtics have more depth and the home court advantage. They will want to get a victory in this one after falling in Chicago, and it would be an upset if the Bulls can win and stay undefeated.
Take the Celtics in this one as they aim to solidify themselves among the top teams in the East in 2016.
NBA Odds: Celtics 108, Bulls 99
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