The NBA In-season tournament continues, and the formidable Boston Celtics go face-to-face with the lowly Chicago Bulls.
The tournament will see each team divided into groups and play each other once. The six group winners will advance to the next round.
Between the two, only the Celtics have a clear chance to go to the next step of the ladder.
The Celtics, currently the number one team in the NBA, hold a 2-1 record, while the Bulls are yet to record a victory in the pocket tourney.
With that said, the Celtics vs. Bulls NBA In-Season Tournament game is expected to be a lopsided affair in favor of coach Joe Mazzulla's squad.
The tip-off is at 7.30 p.m. ET / 4.30 p.m. PT and will be shown through NBC Sports Boston and NBC Sports Chicago.
Celtics vs Bulls NBA In-Season Tournament Odds
OddsShark released its betting odds for the game.
Moneyline
Boston: -420
Bulls: +316
Spread
Boston: -9 at 110
Bulls: -9 at 110
Total: 216.5
Celtics vs. Bulls NBA In-Season Tournament Preview
Save for the loss to the Orland Magic, the Celtics appear indestructible since the start of the season.
They are too composed to have a breakdown, and that is what everyone is expecting come Tuesday against the Bulls. They have the deepest bench in the league, which translates to a league-best 8.5 in +/-.
This is why the news of the Celtics missing some starters should not be that much of a worry for Celtics fans.
Read more: LaMelo Ball Injury History
The Celts' injury report revealed that Jrue Holiday remains questionable due to a right ankle sprain, while Kristaps Porzingis is officially out with a left calf strain.
Derrick White, who steps in as a starter whenever the main PG is out, is also down with an illness (non-Covid).
Jrue's absence will not be felt that much by the Celtics as Mozilla is experimenting with having his small forwards play the PG position.
"I appreciate the coaching staff for continuing to allow me to be a playmaker," said Jaylen Brown.
"It puts a lot of pressure on other team's defenses. Find that line between making those right reads and not losing my aggression."
Celtics vs. Bulls NBA In-Season Tournament Pick
Celtics win by 20 points at least.
The Boston Celtics have a concrete game plan even without key players.
That is the opposite of what the Bulls have been doing all season. Nikola Vucevic knows the players have a lot to do with their struggles.
"Throughout games we've showed signs of what it can be," he said ahead of their visit to the TD Gardens.
"But we're not consistent with it at all. That's why we have huge gaps in games where we play really well and then we fall off and try to make a push. We do fight and don't give up. But it's only results that matter. So we have to play better."
They showed flashes of brilliance in the first half of a loss to the Brooklyn Nets last Sunday. However, they still squandered a 19-point lead.
They cannot afford to do that against a good team like the Celtics.
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