Chicago Bulls vs Boston Celtics Picks and Predictions for Friday October 30 2026
Boston beat Chicago by 35 points Monday night. Thirty-five. The Celtics scored 134, the Bulls managed 99, and now they’re playing again four days later. I know rematches can be different, and Chicago will probably come in with a little more motivation. But I’m having a hard time finding a reason to believe the Bulls can turn things around that quickly. Boston has been playing good basketball, and Chicago has been giving up points like they’re free.
The Bulls visit TD Garden in Boston Friday night for a 7:30 PM ET tipoff. It’s an NBA Cup group game, and the Celtics are favored by 11.5 points. The total is 232.5. That’s a big spread for an early-season game, but after what happened Monday, I can understand it. I’m taking Boston to cover and looking at the Over. Get prepared for all the NBA games with our free NBA picks.
Chicago Bulls Need to Find Some Defense
Chicago is 1-4, and the Bulls have lost three straight. Monday’s 134-99 loss to Boston was ugly, but Wednesday wasn’t much better defensively. Chicago lost 133-127 to New York, giving up another 133 points. That’s 267 points allowed in two games. You can score 127 and still lose when you’re defending like that. The Bulls have been getting some offense, but they haven’t been able to stop anybody.
Chicago is averaging 110.8 points and allowing 129.5. That’s nearly a 19-point difference every night. The Bulls have been shooting around 49 percent from the floor, which is actually pretty good. The problem is they’re letting opponents shoot too comfortably. Boston has been moving the ball well, averaging nearly 28 assists a game, and Chicago hasn’t been doing much to disrupt that. If the Celtics get the same open looks they had Monday, this could get ugly again.
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Norman Powell has been averaging 19.3 points, and Caleb Wilson has been giving Chicago 18.2. That’s enough scoring to keep the Bulls competitive on some nights. But the injury list isn’t helping. Nic Claxton is out with a hamstring injury, Patrick Williams has been dealing with a groin problem, and Tobe Awaka has an ankle issue. Chicago needs more help defensively, especially around the basket. Without Claxton, that’s going to be difficult against a Boston team that can score from just about anywhere.
Boston Celtics Have Been Rolling at Home
Boston is 3-1, and the Celtics are 3-0 at TD Garden. They’ve won three straight after dropping their opener, and Monday’s 134-99 win over Chicago was their best performance so far. Then they beat Brooklyn 125-124 Tuesday in a game that was a lot closer than it should’ve been. That one wasn’t pretty defensively, but Boston found a way to win. Good teams do that.
The Celtics are averaging 119.8 points and allowing 111.8. That’s a pretty healthy difference. They’re getting 27.8 assists a game, which tells you the ball has been moving. Boston isn’t just relying on one guy to create everything. The Celtics have also been playing at a more controlled pace than Chicago, which should help them avoid getting dragged into a track meet. But if the Bulls keep giving up open shots, Boston won’t need to run to score 120 or more.
Jayson Tatum has been averaging 26.9 points, and Paul George has been giving Boston another 20.6. That’s a pretty good one-two punch, especially against a defense that’s been struggling this badly. Devin Carter is out with an illness, but the Celtics have been relatively healthy otherwise. Boston has enough depth to handle Chicago, and the home crowd should be into this one with the NBA Cup getting started.
Chicago Bulls vs Boston Celtics Picks and Predictions
Boston Celtics -11.5 (-110)
I’m laying the points with Boston. Eleven and a half is a lot, and I usually don’t love giving away that many in an NBA game. But Chicago just lost to Boston by 35, and the Bulls have been allowing nearly 130 points a night. That’s hard to ignore. The Celtics are 3-0 at home, they’re moving the ball well, and they’ve got enough scoring to take advantage of Chicago’s defensive problems. The danger is Boston getting a big lead and taking its foot off the gas. That happens all the time in the NBA. But I think the Celtics can build enough of a cushion to cover. Give me Boston by 15 or more.
Over 232.5 Points (-110)
I’ll take Over 232.5. Chicago has allowed 134 and 133 in its last two games, and the Bulls have been scoring enough to contribute. Boston is averaging nearly 120, and I don’t see the Celtics having much trouble getting there against this defense. The only thing that worries me is Chicago having another awful shooting night like Monday, when it scored only 99. If that happens, Boston might have to do too much of the work. But I think the Bulls will score better this time, even if they still lose. Something like Boston 127-112 gets us Over.
Final Picks: Boston Celtics -11.5 (-110) and Over 232.5 Points (-110)
Preview prepared October 29, 2026.
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