NBA
Chicago Bulls vs Boston Celtics Odds, Tips and Prediction
One of the league’s most historic rivalries will go head-to-head for a second time in three days as the Chicago Bulls and the Boston Celtics meet at the United Center.
Jayson Tatum and Jaren Jackson Jr.//Getty Images
The defending NBA champions, Boston Celtics, face off against the Chicago Bulls on 21st December as both teams meet home and away over three days. Two of the biggest franchises go head-to-head in the week leading up to the blockbuster Christmas Day matches. This historic rivalry has provided countless exciting matches over the years, and both teams will be looking to stamp their authority at Chicago’s United Center.
SportsBoom will delve deeper into this enticing encounter and preview previous head-to-head records, key players, and value bets. Be sure to explore different NBA betting strategies and betting platforms to maximise your chances of success and potentially win big.
Match Details: Chicago Bulls vs Boston Celtics
Date: Saturday 21st December
Start time: 8 pm local time (1 am BST)
Venue: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
Last meeting: November 19, 2024, Boston Celtics 138-129 Chicago Bulls
Pre-Game Odds and Win Probability
Tight Matchup Expected
Boston Celtics: 29.20 (2.45) – 40.8%
Chicago Bulls: 29.20 (2.45) – 40.8%
*Forecast Odds* Betting available on 1Win closer to event
Head-to-Head Record
This historic rivalry has seen only 244 regular season games in NBA history. The Boston Celtics edge out the Chicago Bulls in total wins, with the Celtics prevailing 135 times in total.
Massachusetts’ capital is on a five-game winning streak spanning nearly two years, completing strong victories. Chicago has produced only two wins in their last ten meetings, arriving at the opening stages of the 2022-23 season.
This historic rivalry was prominent in the late 1980s when Celtics star player Larry Bird formed a fierce rivalry with Bulls player Michael Jordan. Both teams were intense rivals in the late '80s, and Bird held a 17-11 record over Jordan in regular season matches. Bird also recorded a clean sweep record of 6-0 wins in the playoffs.
Last Five Matches
| Season | Date | Result |
| 2024/25 Season | November 29, 2024 | Boston Celtics 138-129 Chicago Bulls |
| 2023/24 Season | March 23, 2024 | Boston Celtics 124-113 Chicago Bulls |
| 2023/24 Season | February 22, 2024 | Boston Celtics 129-112 Chicago Bulls |
| 2023/24 Season | November 28, 2023 | Boston Celtics 124-97 Chicago Bulls |
| 2022/23 Season | January 9, 2023 | Boston Celtics 107-99 Chicago Bulls |
How is the season so far for both teams?
Chicago Bulls
- Record: 11-15
- Home Form: 4-9
- Road Form: 7-6
The Chicago Bulls are currently placed ninth in the East, the same position as their final finish in the previous 2023/24 campaign. Once again, the Eastern Conference displays its true competitive nature, as the eighth-seed Indiana Pacers and the 11th-seed Detroit Pistons are separated by one game in the classification charts. The Bulls need to find form and fast if they want to formulate a playoff run later in the season.
Despite the Bulls’ 11-15 record, the roster has looked lacklustre in front of their home crowd. On home turf, they have a 4-9 record, but on the road, the squad has shown up more and has a winning record of 7-6.
The Bulls’ standout performer this season is arguably 34-year-old Nikola Vucevic – the two-time NBA All-Star. The Swiss-born star is currently posting a seasonal average of 21 points and 9.8 rebounds. These stats are similar to his 2018/19 and 2020/21 campaigns, and he is one of the Bulls’ most efficient players on their roster.
Meanwhile, 22-year-old first-round pick Josh Giddey moved to Illinois after a three-year tenure in Oklahoma and is currently placed 13th overall in average assists per game. He has recorded over five assists in each encounter in recent games against the Charlotte Hornets, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Indiana Pacers.
Boston Celtics
- Record: 20-5
- Home Form: 11-3
- Road Form: 9-2
With the team occupying second place in the East, second only to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the reigning and defending NBA champions will be looking to top the charts once more. The team’s roster is stacked with talent in every area, and the team aims to win back-to-back championships for the first time since the 1960s.
Jayson Tatum is once again one of the standout performers on the team’s roster and is the lead player for points per game, rebounds, assists, and steals. His presence within the organization greatly boosts the team due to his offensive and defensive prowess. However, he is currently awaiting confirmation regarding an update on a potential knee injury, though it’s nothing major.
Celtic’s shooting guard Jaylen Brown has featured in fewer matches but remains a prevalent figure in the team. His intelligence in transitions is integral to the team's success, and as a result, he earned his first NBA Finals MVP in last season’s NBA Championship against the Dallas Mavericks.
Value Bets
Jayson Tatum: Over 25 Points and 8 Rebounds: SportsBoom predicts that Tatum will produce impressive stats against the Bulls once again. In his most recent match last month, he recorded a sensational 35 points and 14 rebounds. He has produced over 25 points seven times in his previous eight meetings and is arguably the most crucial player when facing the Bulls – his performances have become customary.
Nikola Vucevic – Over 20 points and 10 Rebounds: Across his entire NBA career, Vucevic has averaged 16.7 points and 10.6 rebounds in 41 total games against the Celtics. The 34-year-old’s consistent ability to achieve double-digit numbers in both points and rebounds against one of the biggest franchises deserves praise, and we reckon he will replicate this again. The Montenegrin basketball star recorded 32 points and 11 rebounds in the first match earlier this year. We predict that Vucevic will record over 20 points and post ten rebounds.
Prediction: Boston Celtics to Win
The Boston Celtics’ impressive recent head-to-head form against the Chicago Bulls makes them heavy favourites, and SportsBoom predicts another win for the Celtics.
The Celtics look far too strong, and considering the team’s depth, it will be too much for the Bulls to handle as both teams play home and away over three days. The likelihood of a possible double win is on the cards.
Henry Cheal is a versatile freelance sports journalist with extensive experience in the industry. Henry has previously worked at the 2024 World Snooker Championship and earned a Multimedia Sports Journalism degree from UCFB in 2023.