Bulls vs. Celtics Game 1 Pick
Will the Boston Celtics prove their top seed is legit when they host the Chicago Bulls tonight at 6:30PM ET in Game 1 of their series?
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, Boston is the clear favorite in this game, as the Celtics are getting odds of -7.5 points against the Bulls. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 206.5 points. The home team won and covered the spread in all four meetings between these two this season.
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The Celtics won their last three games and seven of their last 10 to earn the No. 1 seed in the East at 53-29 overall and 40-40-2 against the spread. Boston averaged 108 points per game on offense this season while allowing 105.4 on defense. Over Boston’s last five games, it scored and allowed 110 points per contest. Isaiah Thomas has made a dark horse run at the MVP after averaging 28.9 points and 5.9 assists per game. Avery Bradley adds 16.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.
The Bulls won their last two games to earn the eighth seed in the East at 41-41. Chicago was 42-40 against the spread this season as well. The Bulls averaged 102.9 points per game on offense this season while allowing 102.4 on defense. Over its last five games, the Bulls have impressively put up 106.6 per game on offense while allowing just 89 per game. Jimmy Butler is leading the team with 23.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game while Dwyane Wade adds 18.3 points per contest.
The Celtics are a team that knows how to win and plays with a chip on their shoulder, but Boston still has some clear limitations on offense. The Bulls are a team that can match up well with the Celtics and make this a competitive series. Boston was just 17-24 against the spread at home this season while Chicago had a winning record ATS on the road. I think this game will be competitive and go down to the wire. Give me Chicago with the points.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: CHICAGO BULLS +7.5