The Chicago Bulls’ stock has been falling of late, much like their position in the Eastern Conference standings. The Bulls have lost four of their last five games as they make their way to Beantown to face the Boston Celtics. The C’s have been in an even worse slump lately, and will be desperate to earn a much-needed win at home. Read on for our preview of this Eastern Conference clash.
Boston will be buzzing all throughout the weekend as the New England Patriots host the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Championship game on Sunday. Click here for our preview of that big game.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics Betting Preview
Where: TD Garden, Boston
When: Friday, January 16, 2015, 7:30 PM ET
Line: Chicago Bulls at Boston Celtics – view all NBA lines
Betting on the Chicago Bulls
No one’s feeling all too bullish about the Bulls lately. They’ve lost four of their last five games, including three at home. They ‘ve lost twice to the Wizards, as well as to the struggling Jazz (99-79) and Magic (121-114). The Bulls will welcome going back on the road, where they’re 14-5 on the season, currently the third-best mark in the league.
[sc:NBA240banner ]Derrick Rose exploded for a season-high 32 points on Wednesday against the Wizards, but he didn’t get much help from any of his teammates as the Bulls fell, 105-99. Pau Gasol (13 points on 4-for-11 shooting) fell back down to earth after back-to-back big games, while Jimmy Butler still hasn’t shaken off his New Year’s hangover.
Butler is averaging just 13 points per game and shooting an abysmal 30 percent from the field in his last five games, which just so happened to coincide with Chicago’s slide.
The Bulls will need Butler to break out of his slump against Boston for a couple of reasons. First, the Bulls will need all the points they can get because they haven’t been able to stop anyone lately. They’ve allowed a ghastly 109 points per 100 possessions over the last five games.
And second, that bad defense could get a lot worse if defensive anchor Joakim Noah isn’t able to go. Noah didn’t return after he injured his ankle in their loss against the Wizards.
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Betting on the Boston Celtics
It’s been a rough start to 2015 to say the least for the Boston Celtics. The Celts have gone 2-6 in their first eight games of the New Year, and are now 3-10 (5-8 against the spread) in their last 13.
The trade of leading scorer Jeff Green has only exacerbated the Celtics’ lack of a consistent go-to scorer. Over the last 13 games, the Celtics have the third-worst offensive efficiency, in front of only the 76ers and the Knicks.
The likes of Jared Sullinger (14 points per game), Avery Bradley (13 PPG), and Kelly Olynyk are all capable of scoring 20 or more points, but the Celtics will need all of those players to have good games at the same time in order to win.
The Celtics shouldn’t have too much trouble scoring against a Bulls defense that has struggled recently. Boston has also averaged 104 points per game in its first three meetings against Chicago this season.
Although they’re just 1-2 in those games, all three have been decided by seven points or less, including their most recent 109-104 overtime loss on Jan. 3.
Writer’s Prediction
The Bulls break out of their slump and beat Boston, 110-101.
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