This will be the second game of a back-to-back for the Celtics, but they look like they’re heating up, coming off a blowout win over the Cavs on Sunday.  Chicago’s young roster has been up-and-down all year, but they’re facing a tired Boston team, so this would be a great chance for the Bulls’ young guns to get a statement win.

Boston is favoured to win on the NBA odds.

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

These teams only met each other twice last season, with the Celtics sweeping both games.  Boston has won eight of their last 10 games against the Bulls, outscoring Chicago by an average of 111-97.

Boston seems to love playing at the United Center, as they have won seven of their last eight games in Chicago and covered the spread in each of those seven wins.  The Celtics have covered eight times this season and have hit the Over in nine of their 16 games, including four of their last five games overall.

The Bulls are rewarding bettors big time, covering in 11 of their 16 games this season, including eight of their last 10 games.  Chicago has also had no trouble putting up points.  The Bulls have hit the Over 10 times, this year, four times at home and six times on the road, and they have hit the Over in six of their last eight games overall.

Boston Celtics

Boston was at home on Sunday night playing the front half of a back-to-back. After heading into Sunday on a three game losing streak, the Celtics offence exploded in a 141-103 blowout win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. With Jayson Tatum still out due to COVID-19 protocols, it was Jaylen Brown who stepped up, once again. Brown had a game-high 33 points in just 19 minutes of action (the first NBA player to ever score 33 points in 19 or fewer minutes) and now leads Boston, averaging 27.3 points per game. Tatum, who has missed the last five games, is averaging 26.9 points per game and is likely to return against the Bulls, according to Celtics coach Brad Stevens.

Another sign Tatum may make his return on Monday is the absence of Kemba Walker. After finishing with 21 points, five rebounds and four assists against the Cavs, Stevens said Walker is not expected to play against Chicago. It’s likely more precautionary and nothing serious, as the Celtics have been cautious with Walker and haven’t let him play more than 29 minutes in a single game, this year. Walker missed the first 11 games of the season with a knee injury that had bothered him last season and into the playoffs.

Chicago Bulls

The Bulls have split their last six games and are coming into this game after a 101-90 loss to the Lakers on Saturday. Zach LaVine finished with 21 points, 10 rebounds and four assists against L.A. and he now leads Chicago in points per game (LaVine averages 26.8) and steals per game (LaVine averages 1.4). LaVine has been the biggest part of the Bulls’ offence by far, with Lauri Markkanen, the next leading scorer, averaging 18.6 points per game, just over eight fewer than LaVine.

At 25-years-old, LaVine is one of the more veteran players on this Bulls roster, as the team has an average age of 25.8 and 10 of their 17 players are under the age of 25. Outside of LaVine and Markkanen, second-year guard Coby White has become a full-time starter after starting just one game in his rookie campaign. White had 14 points, seven rebounds and four assists on Saturday and is averaging 15.9 points per game, 5.1 rebounds per game and a team-high 5.9 assists per game. Facing a team that is playing the second game of a back-to-back, this could be a great chance for a team full of young talent, like the Bulls, to get a statement win.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Celtics vs. Bulls?

• Regular Season

Celtics Team Leaders

BOS

Points	Jayson Tatum 25.73
Assists	Marcus Smart 5.57
Rebounds	Tristan Thompson 8.23
FG%	Tacko Fall 75
Steals	Marcus Smart 1.46
Blocks	Robert Williams III 1.83

CHI

Points	Zach LaVine 27.46
Assists	Tomas Satoransky 5.07
Rebounds	Nikola Vucevic 9.7
FG%	Cristiano Felicio 75
Steals	Thaddeus Young 1.18
Blocks	Nikola Vucevic 1

• Regular Season

Bulls Team Leaders

BOS

Points	Jayson Tatum 25.73
Assists	Marcus Smart 5.57
Rebounds	Tristan Thompson 8.23
FG%	Tacko Fall 75
Steals	Marcus Smart 1.46
Blocks	Robert Williams III 1.83

CHI

Points	Zach LaVine 27.46
Assists	Tomas Satoransky 5.07
Rebounds	Nikola Vucevic 9.7
FG%	Cristiano Felicio 75
Steals	Thaddeus Young 1.18
Blocks	Nikola Vucevic 1

Injuries

Boston

Evan Fournier (SG)

Out indefinitely Illness - 06 / 04 / 21

Robert Williams III (C)

Ques Fri Illness - 31 / 03 / 21

Kemba Walker (PG)

Out Sat Rest - 27 / 03 / 21

Luke Kornet (PF)

Ques Sat Acquired - 26 / 03 / 21

Moritz Wagner (PF)

Ques Sat Acquired - 26 / 03 / 21

Evan Fournier (SG)

Prob Mon Illness - 26 / 03 / 21

Semi Ojeleye (PF)

Mid April Hip - 25 / 03 / 21

Kemba Walker (PG)

Out Mon Rest - 21 / 03 / 21

Kemba Walker (PG)

Out Wed Rest - 17 / 03 / 21

Tristan Thompson (C)

Out indefinitely Illness - 16 / 03 / 21

Chicago

Devon Dotson (PG)

Ques Wed Undisclosed - 08 / 04 / 21

Lauri Markkanen (PF)

Prob Thurs Leg - 07 / 04 / 21

Adam Mokoka (SG)

Ques Wed Undisclosed - 07 / 04 / 21

Coby White (SG)

Prob Thurs Neck - 07 / 04 / 21

Daniel Theis (PF)

Prob Thurs Personal - 05 / 04 / 21

Coby White (SG)

Prob Tues Illness - 03 / 04 / 21

Garrett Temple (SG)

Prob Wed Hamstring - 30 / 03 / 21

Coby White (SG)

Prob Fri Neck - 29 / 03 / 21

Lauri Markkanen (PF)

Prob Mon Calf - 28 / 03 / 21

Daniel Theis (PF)

Prob Mon Personal - 26 / 03 / 21

Injuries

Boston

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Evan Fournier (SG)	Out indefinitely	Illness - 06 / 04 / 21	2-2	1-4	+ -
Fournier is out of the lineup while going through the NBA's health and safety protocols, and there is no timetable for his return to action.
Robert Williams III (C)	Ques Fri	Illness - 31 / 03 / 21	3-4	1-7	+ -
Williams III missed the last contest dealing with an illness, and it is unknown if he will be in the lineup on Friday versus the Rockets.
Kemba Walker (PG)	Out Sat	Rest - 27 / 03 / 21	5-4	2-8	+ -
Walker will not suit up against the Thunder on Saturday as he will be given a day of rest.
Luke Kornet (PF)	Ques Sat	Acquired - 26 / 03 / 21	6-4	3-8	+ -
Kornet was acquired via a trade, and it is uncertain if he will play against the Thunder on Saturday.
Moritz Wagner (PF)	Ques Sat	Acquired - 26 / 03 / 21	6-4	3-8	+ -
Wagner was acquired through a trade, and it is up in the air if he will lace up for Saturday's matchup versus the Thunder.
Evan Fournier (SG)	Prob Mon	Illness - 26 / 03 / 21	6-4	3-8	+ -
Fournier sat out the last game while enrolled in the NBA's health and safety protocols, but he is expected to take the court against the Pelicans on Monday.
Semi Ojeleye (PF)	Mid April	Hip - 25 / 03 / 21	6-4	3-8	+ -
Ojeleye is sidelined with a left hip contusion, and he is not expected to return until the middle of April.
Kemba Walker (PG)	Out Mon	Rest - 21 / 03 / 21	7-6	4-10	+ -
Walker will not be in the lineup Monday versus the Grizzlies, as he will receive a day of rest.
Kemba Walker (PG)	Out Wed	Rest - 17 / 03 / 21	7-8	5-11	+ -
Walker will not be available for Wednesday's showdown versus the Cavaliers as he will receive a day of rest.
Tristan Thompson (C)	Out indefinitely	Illness - 16 / 03 / 21	8-8	6-11	+ -
Thompson will miss an extended period while going through the NBA's health and safety protocols.

Chicago

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Devon Dotson (PG)	Ques Wed	Undisclosed - 08 / 04 / 21	2-3	3-2	+ -
Dotson has missed the last four games for undisclosed reasons, and it is unclear if he will take the court against the Magic on Wednesday.
Lauri Markkanen (PF)	Prob Thurs	Leg - 07 / 04 / 21	2-3	3-2	+ -
Markkanen is tending to a lower right leg injury, but it is likely that he will be in the lineup for Thursday's tilt versus the Raptors.
Adam Mokoka (SG)	Ques Wed	Undisclosed - 07 / 04 / 21	2-3	3-2	+ -
Mokoka was held out of the last four contests due to an undisclosed issue, and it is unknown if he will be available versus the Magic on Wednesday.
Coby White (SG)	Prob Thurs	Neck - 07 / 04 / 21	2-3	3-2	+ -
White is dealing with a neck injury, but it is anticipated that he will play Thursday versus the Raptors.
Daniel Theis (PF)	Prob Thurs	Personal - 05 / 04 / 21	3-3	3-3	+ -
Theis missed the last game while tending to a personal matter, but it is likely that he will be available against the Raptors on Thursday.
Coby White (SG)	Prob Tues	Illness - 03 / 04 / 21	5-3	4-4	+ -
White missed the last game while going through the NBA's health and safety protocols, but it is anticipated that he will play against the Pacers on Tuesday.
Garrett Temple (SG)	Prob Wed	Hamstring - 30 / 03 / 21	5-5	5-5	+ -
Temple has been sidelined with a right hamstring strain, but he is projected to return Wednesday versus the Magic.
Coby White (SG)	Prob Fri	Neck - 29 / 03 / 21	5-5	5-5	+ -
White has sat out the last two games due to neck soreness, but it is anticipated that he will partake in Friday's matchup versus the Jazz.
Lauri Markkanen (PF)	Prob Mon	Calf - 28 / 03 / 21	5-6	5-6	+ -
Markkanen is bothered by a right calf injury, but it is likely that he will take the court against the Warriors on Monday.
Daniel Theis (PF)	Prob Mon	Personal - 26 / 03 / 21	5-6	5-6	+ -
Theis missed the previous game while tending to a personal matter, but he is expected to dress for Monday's clash with the Warriors.