Celtics Open Playoffs At Home Versus Bulls Hoping to Silence Doubters

The NBA Eastern Conference No. 1 seeds opens its postseason on Sunday when the Boston Celtics host the No. 8 seeded Chicago Bulls. The current line has Boston favored by 7.5 points with the over/under point total on 207.5.

Entering this first series of the postseason Chicago was 41-41 straight up and 42-40 against the spread. On the road, the Bulls were 16-25 SU and 21-20 ATS. Boston during the regular season was 53-29 SU and 40-40-2 ATS. At home, the Celtics were 30-11 SU and 17-24 ATS.

Boston enters this postseason riding a winning streak of three straight, while Chicago has won two consecutive and three of its past four. Boston and Chicago split their series during the regular season, with each winning both games played on their home court.

To reach the postseason, Chicago held off Miami but needed the two straight wins it had to end its regular season. They beat Orlando 122-75 and then Brooklyn 112-73. They tied with Miami for the No. 8 seed but held the head to head tiebreaker to reach the postseason.

Jimmy Butler is Chicago’s leading scorer with an average of 23.9 points per game. Rajon Rondo leads the team in assists at 6.7 per game.

Boston lost to Cleveland with just three games left but then won its final two and Cleveland lost three straight to help position take the No. 1 seed in the conference.

Isaiah Thomas leads the Celtics in scoring with an average of 28.8 points per game and leads the team in assists as well with an average of 5.9 per game.

Center Al Horford has played well down low in his first season from Atlanta. Thomas’ backcourt mate Avery Bradley is questionable for the game on Sunday.

Three out of four games between Boston and Chicago were decided by 7 or fewer points. The teams are very competitive against one another which should make for a close game. Both arrive on short winning streaks and on a high.

Chicago is 6-1 ATS in its past 7 game following 3 days or more of rest.

Boston is 1-6 ATS in its past 7 games played at home.

Prediction: Boston has had its hands full this season with Chicago. Lean here for the Celtics to win outright, but the Bulls to cover the number.