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Chicago Bulls vs Boston Celtics picks and predictions January 5th, 2026
The Chicago Bulls head to Boston to face the Boston Celtics on Monday, January 5th at TD Garden. Tipoff is set for 7:30 PM ET. Boston enters as a heavy -10.5 favorite, priced -506 on the moneyline, while Chicago is a +384 underdog with the total sitting at 236. This is a major mismatch on paper, but in today’s NBA, double-digit spreads always come with risk—especially when late scratches or effort dips come into play.
Boston’s elite at home, but Chicago has shown enough offensive fight to cover in the right spots. Whether this becomes a Celtics cruise or a sneaky Bulls backdoor will likely depend on depth and energy
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Chicago Bulls vs Boston Celtics Odds
Here’s the current betting line. Be sure to check the latest NBA odds page closer to tip for live movement.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bulls | +384 | +10.5 (-110) | O 236 |
| Boston Celtics | -506 | -10.5 (-112) | U 236 |
Chicago Bulls Betting Form
The Bulls remain a flawed but scrappy team. DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine are still high-level scorers, but the supporting cast is thin, and they don’t defend well enough to survive cold stretches. Their ball movement stalls too often, and they give up a ton of three-point looks—something that doesn’t match up well against a team like Boston.
Still, Chicago has shown fight in underdog spots. They’ve covered the spread in 4 of their last 6 as double-digit dogs, largely because they hang around with midrange efficiency and don’t quit late. This is a potential backdoor cover spot if the Celtics let off the gas.
Always monitor the Chicago Bulls injury report before betting. For performance trends, visit the Chicago Bulls stats and results.
Boston Celtics Betting Form
Boston has been a machine at home. They lead the league in net rating at TD Garden, shoot well from three, and rarely give up second-chance points. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are producing at high levels, and Derrick White’s emergence has solidified both ends of the floor.
The Celtics are also top-3 in defensive efficiency and do a great job of limiting clean perimeter looks. Against an iso-heavy team like the Bulls, that’s a big advantage. Boston has covered 4 of their last 5 at home as double-digit favorites, and they’ve done it convincingly.
Check the Boston Celtics injury report for final lineup confirmation. You can explore more data on the Boston Celtics schedule and stats.
Chicago Bulls vs Boston Celtics Matchup Breakdown
This is a tempo-control game. Boston plays at a moderate pace but maximizes possessions with efficient shot selection and high turnover pressure. Chicago can’t match that efficiency and will need to win with midrange scoring and free throws—which is hard to do against Boston’s disciplined defense.
Key matchup notes:
- Defensive Rating: Boston is elite; Chicago bottom-10.
- Three-Point Efficiency: Boston’s spacing stretches defenses; Bulls struggle to close out.
- Pace: Both teams play slow—makes blowouts slightly harder to cover late.
- Depth: Boston’s bench is better on both ends; Bulls struggle when stars sit.
This is the kind of setup where alternate lines or first-half spreads could be valuable—Boston often jumps out fast at home.
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Chicago Bulls vs Boston Celtics Predictions and Best Bets
Celtics -10.5 is a big number, but it’s earned. Boston has consistently crushed weaker teams at home, and their defensive scheme is perfectly built to stifle Chicago’s isolation-heavy attack. Unless DeRozan or LaVine go nuclear, this could get out of hand.
The total at 236 feels a bit inflated for two teams that don’t push the tempo. While both teams can score in bunches, Boston’s defense and slow pace could suppress overall volume—especially if they lead big and slow the second half down.
Lean Celtics -10.5, but the better angle might be the total.
Best Bet: Under 236.
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