Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics basketball gambling preview
Time: 8:05 PM
Venue: TD Garden
Sportsbook NBA online betting odds:
Bulls +7 (-110) 206 (-110) +245
Celtics -7 (-110) 206 (-110) -290
The Bulls upset the Celtics 106-102 on Sunday to take a 1-0 lead in their playoffs first round series as well as cover the spread. Chicago was especially sharp defensively, outrebounding Boston 32-16 in the first half – including 16 offensive rebounds – and 53-36 overall. The Celtics were ahead 88-87 with 5:33 left before the Bulls went on a 14-4 run to get back in the lead. Boston pulled within two with 7.5 seconds remaining, but Jimmy Butler made two free throws to seal the victory.
Chicago
Key players: Butler scored 30 points – as he is wont to do against the Celtics – on Sunday and was one rebound short of a double-double despite Jae Crowder’s best efforts. Moreover, Butler did his share of grunt work guarding Isaiah Thomas when Rajon Rondo was fouled out. All things considered, it was a LeBron-like performance, at least according to Dwayne Wade. Elsewhere, center Robin Lopez posted double figures in rebounds for the first time in April.
Recent form: The Bulls won five of their last seven regular season games, including the last two straight, to punch their ticket to the postseason at the 11th hour. Additionally, Chicago has won four of the last six road games and 17 of the last 25 games versus Boston.
NBA online betting oddstrends: Chicago has covered the spread in four of the last five games and in seven of the last nine road games, but only in one of the last five visits to Boston. The basketball gambling total has gone under in five of the Bulls’ last six games and over in six of their last nine road games.
Boston
Key players: Isaiah Thomas had his second 30-or-more point playoffs performance, having scored 42 against Atlanta last season. He had 33 points on Sunday but it was Al Horford who kept the Celtics in the game with 19 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds. Horford has posted double digits in scoring in six straight playoffs games.
Recent form: The Celtics won four of the last six regular season games, including the last three in a row to take the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Boston has won 12 of the last 17 games and 17 of the last 21 at home – including four of the last five times they have hosted the Bulls.
NBA online betting trends: Boston has not only dominated the Bulls at home straight-up but also against the spread, going 4-1 ATS in the last five games playing at home versus Chicago. However, the Celtics have covered in only one of their last eight home games and are 8-16-1 ATS in the last 25 against the Bulls. The basketball gambling total has gone under in four of Boston’s last five meetings with Chicago and over in 16 of the Celtics’ last 21 games when playing at home against the Bulls.