Chicago Bulls vs Boston Celtics Predictions

Chicago returns with frontcourt questions

Celtics Wire reports that Boston enters Friday’s NBA Cup group game at 3-1 after beating 1-4 Chicago 135-99 at TD Garden on October 26. That recent result supports Boston as the likely winner, but one blowout isn’t enough to justify laying 15.5 points in the rematch.

Chicago center Nic Claxton is out with a hamstring injury. Tobe Awaka, Jalen Smith and Patrick Williams are questionable, although Smith is also listed among the probable starters. Those unresolved statuses make it difficult to judge whether Chicago can improve on its first performance against Boston.

Boston lists Devin Carter as its only absence because of illness. The probable Celtics starters are Derrick White, Jayson Tatum, Paul George, Jordan Walsh and Mitchell Robinson, while Chicago’s reported group is Matas Buzelis, Caleb Wilson, Norman Powell, Josh Giddey and Smith.

Betting outlook

Boston should win, but its -850 moneyline is too expensive. The -15.5 spread requires another comfortable Celtics victory, and Chicago’s unconfirmed lineup leaves too much uncertainty to back either side.

The 235.5 total also warrants a pass. The available information contains no pace or efficiency data to support the over at -105 or the under at -115.