Celtics vs Bulls Prediction and Betting Tips 20 Dec 2024 - NBA Prediction
NLB Staff
20.12.2024 01:18
Celtics vs Bulls Prediction
As the Boston Celtics enter this game having been an unstoppable unit that keeps on finding ways to win, they play a Chicago unit on the verge of starting a rebuilding process at this point. Seeing that the Celtics came off a 112-98 win against Washington, this Chicago unit has lost 2 of their past 3 matchups. This game will be played on December 20th at 6:00 A.M. IST in T.D. Garden of Boston. Below are our key betting tips, vital player props, important injuries, and head-to-head trends to make an accurate prediction.
Celtics vs Bulls Key Betting Tips & Predictions
1. Boston Celtics vs Chicago Bulls Moneyline Pick
As the Celtics have a -440 money line in this game, it is a must because they have a way better unit on both ends. Led by Jrue Holiday and Derrick White in the backcourt, this duo should control scoring plus passing against Josh Giddey in addition to Coby White. Having one of the strongest defenders in Jaylen Brown, he will lock down Talen Horton-Tucker with potentially no Zach LaVine, while also attacking with ease on the other end. As Tatum is going to win the blocking, scoring, and rebounding battle with ease against Patrick Williams, Kristapsas Porzingis should really have a strong matchup against Chicago’s all-around piece in the middle. Seeing this, Boston should win their -440 money line and 6th straight against the Bulls.
2. Boston Celtics vs Chicago Bulls Point Spread Pick
Seeing that the Celtics have a -10.5 spread in this game, it should be taken because they look like the more star-studded group. Led by Jrue Holiday at point guard, his ability to create assists while also really using speed to dribble inside is something unstoppable. As a piece that can attack the basket and finish strong, he has great awareness to look for deep shots too. Going up against Josh Giddey, Holiday should handle him with ease as one of the strongest side-to-side defenders that can cause steals. Taking away a lot of the passing game away from Josh Giddey’s preferred style, he will create tons of looks down the other way. With Derrick White continuing to be a pretty strong shooter, his ability to create for others, and rebound has really come alive as well. Having to go against another piece in Coby White who can create shots at a high clip, Derrick will still force him into a few tough shots due to a size advantage. As White will create a few blocks and make Coby turn it over on traps, the Celtics guard should also force a ton of loose balls throughout this game. Seeing that Jaylen Brown gets to start against probable Talen Horton-Tucker, this should be a complete mismatch as the Boston small forward can create both blocks plus get steals. Someone who is known as a close-out shooter, he should lockdown Horton-Tucker’s three-point game, while forcing him to work in uncomfortable situations inside. Knowing that Jaylen Brown is a great scorer himself, he will support Jayson Tatum’s mid-range and blocking prowess. As Tatum can also stretch out from three plus be an elite paint scorer, he should really control Patrick Williams's defense throughout. Having Kristapsas Porzingis at center will help close the gap against Nikola Vucevic and help Boston win their -10.5 spread.
3. Boston Celtics vs Chicago Bulls Over/Under Pick (Total Points)
With the over/under being 233.5 points in this game, both offenses should fire away with strong scoring supporting casts. As Chicago is led by a point guard who has shown improvement in his jump-shooting form, he should continue making passes to help create for a stronger shot-making shooting guard. Knowing that their SG has developed great abilities from beyond the arc, his ability to drive in and finish is a great complement too. Most likely not having their top finisher from inside or out at small forward in this game, the replacement has also shown a ton of prowess in his ability to create great looks of pick-and-rolls. Having a center that can create all-around offense, this unit plays a Celtics team led by one of the best finishing point guards that can create for others. Seeing that their shooting guard remains a vital scorer from deep or mid-range areas, his passing will really help their elite small-forward/power-forward combination with two All-NBA level players at those positions. Having a center that can be a stretch piece that spaces the floor, this game should be somewhere around the 257 combined points from last time.
Boston Celtics vs Chicago Bulls Top Player Props
Patrick Williams under 10.5 points at 1.61: As the Bulls power forward has still yet to find his rhythm on offense, he will struggle against a very strong defense. Seeing that Patrick Williams will get guarded by Jayson Tatum, he will lose a lot of power inside because of his much smaller frame to attack, while his ability from outside has not shown up at all. Averaging just 9.2 points a night, he should be well under the line in this game again.
Jayson Tatum over 27.5 points at 1.51: With this Celtics power forward being one of the best mid-range and inside creators in NBA play, his outside shot makes him unstoppable. Going up against a much slimmer and shorter Patrick Williams, Tatum should use size to create fade-aways, while also working off screens for inside shots or open looks from deep. Someone who is scoring 28.2 a night, Tatum should continue building on a strong season average.
Boston Celtics vs Chicago Bulls Injury News & Impact
Boston Celtics Injuries: As Kristapas Porzingis, 19.0 and 7.0 rebounds, is set to return after leaving last game with a heel issue, Al Horford will be ruled out again due to personal issues.
Chicago Bulls Injuries: With Dalen Terry, 4.2 points, out with a knee issue, this group could very likely also not have Zach LaVine, 21.2 points, because of back problems.
Celtics vs Bulls Head-to-Head Trends
Going into this matchup, the Boston Celtics have won 5 straight games and should continue making that streak even bigger. Having scored over 100 points in 22 straight against this Bulls unit, Boston should have another very high-scoring night after averaging 130.3 over their past 3 matchups. Being 5-0 against the spread over their previous 5 games, this Celtics unit will look to continue dominating this record even more.
Betting Insights & Public Trends
Looking at the current betting insights and public trends, Boston is favored by 81.3% of bettors to win this game against Chicago.
Celtics vs Bulls Final Prediction
As Boston enters this game having been on a great streak that’s shown potential from their last season’s championship run, it will continue against a struggling unit in Chicago. Seeing that Boston is much stronger on both sides this game, they should control the tempo from start to finish. With Jrue Holiday being one of the most athletic guards who can create top-notch assists plus finish inside, his ability to maintain deep looks remains vital for this Celtics unit. Someone who really has track speed and great ball-handling prowess, he should keep attacking Josh Giddey throughout. Although Giddey might get some inside looks just because of his size, he will be forced into a lot of bad passes due to Holiday’s quick hands. With the Celtics guard also being someone who can reach in and play side-to-side, he should handle where Giddey goes while also creating looks down the other end. Knowing that Derrick White will be playing shooting guard, his ability to create rebounds, pass, and score remains a vital all-around key for this offense. As someone who is known to finish inside or out, he will keep the scoring numbers higher than Coby White’s throughout this game. Even though the Bulls guard will score in his own right, Derrick White’s size ability and to maneuver from side to side can force Coby to take some really bad looks. Knowing that the Celtics guard is also another reach-in threat, he will have a couple of steals even though Coby White can be a solid defender on the other side.
With Jaylen Brown playing small forward, he should have the most dominating matchup since Chicago most likely doesn’t have Zach LaVine. Having to match up against Talen Horton-Tucker, Brown should have a masterclass in the mid-range and from deep throughout, while also cutting in for scores. But, more impactfully, he will create tons of separation on defense as someone who can create both blocks plus steals. Knowing that Brown has continued showing prowess on that end year after year, he will support Tatum’s two-way game as well. Knowing that Jayson Tatum gets a mismatch against Patrick Williams, he should have way more blocks, rebounds, and steals than the Bulls forward. Seeing that Kristapsas Porzingis's scoring plus defensive abilities can match up with Nikola Vucevic’s all-around game, Boston will have Payton Pritchard and Neemias Queita off the bench. But, Chicago can keep it close if Lonzo Ball plus Julian Phillphs play at higher levels.
Our prediction: Boston Celtics win this game and cover their -10.5 spread, while the score goes over 233.5 points.
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