Boston Celtics vs Chicago Bulls Prediction, 12/21/2024 Preview and Pick

Game: Boston Celtics vs Chicago Bulls

Date: Saturday, December 21, 2024

Location: United Center in Chicago, IL

TV: CHSN Plus

The Boston Celtics (21-5) are en route to United Center on Saturday where they will meet the Chicago Bulls (12-15).

The Celtics faced off with the Wizards and notched a win by a score of 112-98 in their last game. In reference to fouls, the Celtics ended up with 15 while the Wizards totaled 25 fouls. They also converted 13 of their 40 attempts from beyond the arc. Washington finished the game shooting 62.5% when shooting free throws by making 5 of their 8 tries. In addition, Washington grabbed 51 rebounds (17 offensive, 34 defensive) and had 5 blocks. Washington distributed 22 assists and had 10 steals in this contest. In reference to defense, Boston allowed the other team to shoot 40.4% from the field on 40 out of 99 shooting. They also distributed 26 assists in this contest while forcing the other team into 16 turnovers and having 11 steals. Pertaining to pulling down boards, they compiled 56 with 16 of them being offensive. When they shot from the free throw line, the Celtics converted 14 of 24 shots for a percentage of 58.3%. Boston finished the contest with a 43.0% field goal percentage (40 out of 93) and converted 18 out of their 46 3-point shots.

Jayson Tatum is a guy who was a major factor for this game. Tatum finished the game at 46.2% from the field and totaled 2 dimes. He played 35 mins played and totaled 12 boards. He was able to score 28 points on 12 of 26 shooting.

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Boston heads into this game with a win-loss mark of 21-5 on the year. They are averaging 119.9 pts per contest (3rd in the league) while shooting 45.8% from the field. The Celtics are connecting on 37.2% on shots from distance (494 of 1,328) and 79.6% from the charity stripe. As a team, Boston is collecting 44.8 rebounds per game and has earned 677 assists on the year, which ranks 14th in basketball in terms of passing the rock. They turn the ball over 12.1 times per contest and as a group they commit 16.4 personal fouls per contest.

On the defensive end of the court, the Celtics are forcing their opponents into 13.5 turnovers on a nightly basis while drawing 19.3 personal fouls. They are ranked 6th in basketball in giving up assists with 632 surrendered this season. The Celtics defense is allowing an opponent shooting percentage of 46.1% (1,086 of 2,356) and they surrender 44.2 rebounds per contest as a unit. They are giving up 35.0% on shots from downtown while they are 7th in the NBA in PPG allowed (109.8).

For their last game, the Bulls took home the win by a final score of 122-121 when they faced the Raptors. The Bulls were able to pull down 33 defensive boards and 8 offensive rebounds totaling 41 for the contest. They turned the ball over 12 times, while recording 12 steals in this matchup. The Raptors were called for 21 fouls in this matchup which took the Bulls to the free throw line for 28 attempts. They were able to knock down 22 of those for a rate of 78.6%. With regard to shots from 3-point land, Chicago buried 14 of 40 attempts (35.0%). Overall, the Bulls ended up shooting 43 out of 93 from the field which gave them a percentage of 46.2%. The Bulls allowed the Raptors to convert 45 of their 92 tries from the field which left them with a rate of 48.9% in the game. They finished 34.6% from beyond the arc by shooting 9 out of 26 and walked away from this one shooting 22 out of 30 from the charity stripe (73.3%). With respect to team rebounding, Chicago permitted Toronto to grab 44 overall (10 on the offensive side).

Nikola Vucevic was important for the Bulls in this contest. Vucevic had 24 points in his 32 mins on the hardwood and had 3 assists in this matchup. He made 10 of 17 for the matchup giving him a field goal percentage of 58.8%, and had 5 rebounds.

Chicago has a mark of 12-15 on the year. When it comes to offense, the Bulls are hitting on 47.4% from the floor, which is 9th in the NBA. Chicago has accumulated 3,209 pts for the year (118.9 per contest) and they average 44.3 boards per game. They are assisting teammates 29.4 times per contest (4th in the NBA) and they are turning it over 15.3 times per game. The Bulls commit 18.6 fouls per contest and they go 79.7% from the charity stripe.

The Chicago defense surrenders 34.4% on 3-point attempts (356 of 1,036) and their opponents are converting on 76.6% of their foul shots. They have given up 29.2 dimes and 46.4 rebounds per game, which is ranked 29th and 28th in the NBA. The Bulls on the defensive side of the court are 29th in the NBA in points given up per game with 121.9. They are forcing 12.7 turnovers on a nightly basis and allow teams to shoot 48.1% from the field (27th in basketball).

Who will win tonight's NBA game against the spread?

Guy Bruhn's Pick: Take Chicago

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