Post by Admin on Jan 9, 2023 19:20:59 GMT -5
Celtics vs Bulls
By Brian Robb | brobb@masslive.com
The Celtics will look to wrap up their season series against the Chicago Bulls on Monday night as the two teams face off for the fourth and final time this regular season at TD Garden. The hosts are expected to be without Marcus Smart for the matchup as the point guard suffered a bruised knee in Saturday’s win over the Spurs. Payton Pritchard, Grant Williams and Rob Williams will all be candidates to start in his place with Boston seeking their third straight win overall and a 2-2 split in the season series against Chicago. The Bulls come into town riding high with a three-game winning streak and will also have Alex Caruso back in the fold off the bench. Chicago currently sits in the ninth spot in the Eastern Conference while the Celtics are in first place with a one-game lead over the Nets.
Chicago Bulls (19-21, ninth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (28-12, first in the Eastern Conference)
BOTTOM LINE:
The Celtics will look to wrap up their season series against the Chicago Bulls on Monday night as the two teams face off for the fourth and final time this regular season at TD Garden. The hosts are expected to be without Marcus Smart for the matchup as the point guard suffered a bruised knee in Saturday’s win over the Spurs. Payton Pritchard, Grant Williams and Rob Williams will all be candidates to start in his place with Boston seeking their third straight win overall and a 2-2 split in the season series against Chicago. The Bulls come into town riding high with a three-game winning streak and will also have Alex Caruso back in the fold off the bench. Chicago currently sits in the ninth spot in the Eastern Conference while the Celtics are in first place with a one-game lead over the Nets.
Chicago Bulls (19-21, ninth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (28-12, first in the Eastern Conference)
BOTTOM LINE:
Chicago will try to keep its three-game win streak alive when the Bulls take on Boston.
The Celtics are 15-8 in Eastern Conference games. Boston ranks fifth in the NBA with 34.6 defensive rebounds per game led by Jayson Tatum averaging 7.0.
The Bulls are 16-11 against Eastern Conference opponents. Chicago is seventh in the Eastern Conference with 24.5 assists per game led by DeMar DeRozan averaging 5.0.
The teams square off for the fourth time this season. The Bulls won 121-107 in the last meeting on Nov. 22. DeRozan led the Bulls with 28 points, and Tatum led the Celtics with 28 points.
The Celtics are 15-8 in Eastern Conference games. Boston ranks fifth in the NBA with 34.6 defensive rebounds per game led by Jayson Tatum averaging 7.0.
The Bulls are 16-11 against Eastern Conference opponents. Chicago is seventh in the Eastern Conference with 24.5 assists per game led by DeMar DeRozan averaging 5.0.
The teams square off for the fourth time this season. The Bulls won 121-107 in the last meeting on Nov. 22. DeRozan led the Bulls with 28 points, and Tatum led the Celtics with 28 points.
TOP PERFORMERS:
Tatum is averaging 30.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists for the Celtics. Jaylen Brown is averaging 26.5 points over the last 10 games for Boston.
Zach LaVine is shooting 40.5% from beyond the arc with 3.1 made 3-pointers per game for the Bulls, while averaging 23.3 points and 4.3 assists. DeRozan is shooting 49.5% and averaging 26.7 points over the last 10 games for Chicago.
Zach LaVine is shooting 40.5% from beyond the arc with 3.1 made 3-pointers per game for the Bulls, while averaging 23.3 points and 4.3 assists. DeRozan is shooting 49.5% and averaging 26.7 points over the last 10 games for Chicago.
LAST 10 GAMES:
Celtics: 6-4, averaging 117.9 points, 47.6 rebounds, 27.7 assists, 7.1 steals and 5.9 blocks per game while shooting 46.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 113.5 points per game.
Bulls: 7-3, averaging 120.6 points, 43.1 rebounds, 22.5 assists, 7.3 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 51.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.9 points.
Bulls: 7-3, averaging 120.6 points, 43.1 rebounds, 22.5 assists, 7.3 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 51.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.9 points.
INJURIES:
Celtics: Danilo Gallinari: out for season (knee), Marcus Smart: day to day (knee).
Bulls: Javonte Green: out (knee), Tony Bradley: out (health and safety protocols), Lonzo Ball: out (knee).
Bulls: Javonte Green: out (knee), Tony Bradley: out (health and safety protocols), Lonzo Ball: out (knee).