The Celtics return home from their 4 game road trip to host the Chicago Bulls. This is the 4th and final game between these two teams this season. The Bulls won both games on their home court – 120-102 on October 24 and 121-107 on November 21. The Celtics won the game in Boston 123-119 on November 4.
The Celtics remain first in the Eastern Conference. They are 1 game ahead of the Nets who have won 18 of their last 20 games and 2.5 games ahead of the Bucks. They are 15-5 at home and 6-4 in their last 10 games. They are 15-8 against other Eastern Conference opponents. They have won their last 2 games.
The Bulls are 9th in the Eastern Conference and in play in range. They are 3 games behind 6th place and a regular playoff berth and they are 2 games ahead of 11th place and a lottery spot. They are 8-12 on the road and 7-3 in their last 10 games. They are 16-11 against Eastern Conference opponents. They have won their last 3 games and, unlike the Mavericks’ win streak, those wins are against good opponents including Brooklyn, Philadelphia and Utah.
The Celtics are playing in the first of 2 straight home games and will host the Pelicans on Wednesday before heading back out for 3 more road games. The Bulls are playing in the first of 2 road games and will head to Washington for a game on Wednesday before going home for 2 games. After that, they will play the Pistons in Paris, France.
Over their last 10 games, the Celtics have averaged 117.9 points, 47.6 rebounds, 27.7 assists, 7.1 steals and 5.9 blocks per game. They have allowed 113.5 points per game from their opponents. In their last 10 games, the Bulls have averaged 120.6 points, 43.1 rebounds, 22.5 assists, 7.3 steals, and 4.7 blocks per game. They have allowed opponents to score 117.9 points per game.
Danilo Gallinari remains out as he rehabs from an ACL tear. Marcus Smart left Saturday’s game with a knee contusion and is considered doubtful for this game. I’ve included him in the starting lineup as wishful thinking. If he can’t play, I expect Derrick White to play the point and Grant Williams or Robert Williams to be added to the starters. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Robert Williams join the starters after Jayson Tatum requested it after Saturday’s game.
For the Bulls, Lonzo Ball remains out as he rehabs from a September knee surgery. Tony Bradley is out due to Health and Safety Protocols for Covid. Alex Caruso has missed the last 2 games with an ankle injury and is…
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