The Celtics are still the superior team and have the home court advantage, so they will be favored despite the recent loss. Chicago has shown a penchant for playing the top teams tough this season and showed it once again in Game 1 by pulling out the win.
Jimmy Butler led the way in the upset and the Celtics must do a better job containing him this time around.
This war on the floor will go down Tuesday, April 18, 2017, at 5 p.m. ET at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The game will be televised live on TNT.
We'll have NBA odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the NBA Tuesday schedule.
NBA Odds
The opening-game loss by Boston has done little to affect the oddsmakers’ faith in them, as the Celtics enter this game as six-point favorites. More than 57 percent of the early action has come in on Boston to cover that spread. The scoring total is listed at 205.5 points, with the “under” the more popular choice.
The Celtics are 53-30 straight up this season and 41-41-1 against the spread. They have played in 42 home games this season and only covered in 17 of them. Boston is 30-32 against the spread as the favorite after failing to cover last time out.
The Bulls are 42-41 straight up and 43-40 against the spread on the season. Chicago has played in 42 away games this season and covered in 22 of them. The Bulls are an impressive 28-18 against the spread as the favorite on the year.
Last Time Out
The Celtics were expected to win the first game of this series but the Bulls hung tough throughout and then played well down the stretch to capture the upset. Butler had 30 points, nine rebounds and three assists to lead the way, hitting a bunch of big shots in the second half to help Chicago win.
Chicago dominated on the boards, hauling down 53 rebounds while Boston only snared 36. The Celtics can’t afford to let that happen again, as it makes them ripe for the upset. Rajon Rondo had 12 points, seven rebounds and six assists in the win against his former team.
The Celtics were led by Isaiah Thomas, who had 33 points on 10-of-18 shooting while adding six assists and five rebounds.
Player to Watch
Thomas -- The Celtics guard had to play after a tragic incident on the day before Game 1, when his sister died in a one-vehicle crash. Thomas played despite the unimaginable sense of loss, and he will undoubtedly be participating with a heavy heart the rest of the postseason.
Thomas played well in the first game despite the emotions he was feeling. There hasn’t been any news about him possibly missing a game after the tragedy, but family comes before basketball in these situations, so the Celtics would understand if he needed time off at some point.
Free NBA ATS Pick
While the Celtics are the top seed in the East, the Cavaliers are still the favorites to make the NBA Finals out of the conference. Boston showed some of its vulnerability in the first game against the Bulls, as it isn’t a truly dominant team like the Warriors or Spurs in the West.
While most will be expecting the Celtics to come out with a convincing win in Game 2, the Bulls are a tough foe. Take Boston to even the series but the Bulls should cover again.
NBA Odds: Celtics 102, Bulls 100
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