The Chicago Bulls (1-2) and Boston Celtics (1-1) will meet in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET from TD Garden in Boston, Mass. The game will broadcast live on NBCS-BOS.
The Celtics are 14.5-point favorites over the Bulls on the spread, with the over/under set at 232.5 total points. The Celtics are -750 moneyline favorites to win outright, while the Bulls are listed as +525 underdogs to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Bulls vs. Celtics predictions and NBA picks for Monday, October 26.
Bulls vs Celtics Prediction
- Bulls vs Celtics pick: Bulls +14.5 (-110)
My Bulls vs. Celtics best bet is on Chicago to cover the spread, with the best price currently available at DraftKings. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Download the Action Network app now for more NBA picks and analysis! If you want more Action Network content, be sure to add us as a preferred source on Google.
Bulls vs Celtics Odds
- Bulls vs Celtics spread: Bulls +14.5 (-110), Celtics -14.5 (-110)
- Bulls vs Celtics over/under: 232.5 (-108o / -112u)
- Bulls vs Celtics moneyline: Bulls +525, Celtics -750
Bulls vs Celtics NBA Preview
Chicago Bulls Betting Preview
After opening as 13.5-point underdogs, Chicago has climbed to +14.5 at consensus sportsbooks. Boston enters as a heavy home favorite, but underlying metrics and an early-season statistical profile suggest a significant gap between market perception and true value.
The Bulls rank second in the NBA in pace (107.6), averaging 114.7 points per game under coach Tiago Splitter. While defensive lapses have hurt them—yielding 128.0 points per game—their willingness to push in transition and generate high-volume shot attempts gives them constant backdoor cover potential, even when trailing late.
Even after a 120-124 loss to Washington, the Bulls demonstrated their ceiling when they put up 132 points in an outright road win against the Bucks.
Boston Celtics Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Celtics play at nearly the complete opposite tempo under head coach Joe Mazzulla. They have started the season somewhat sluggishly on both ends of the floor.
In their first two games, the Celtics have averaged 110.0 points per game (22nd in the NBA) while allowing 112.0 points per game (13th).
Boston plays at one of the slowest tempos in the league, at just 95.1 possessions per 48 minutes (29th in the NBA).
Slow-paced teams that play a half-court grinder struggle to cover double-digit spreads because fewer possessions reduce variance and limit the scoring margin over four quarters.
Boston’s net rating sits at -2.1 (16th), showing they still haven't hit the dominant offensive gear required to blow out opponents by 15+ points.
Bulls vs Celtics Pick, Betting Analysis
Our NBA PRO Projections identify value in this matchup. Our model projects Chicago at +8.7, setting the fair line nearly six points lower than the market consensus of +14.5.
That differential creates a top-tier A+ Grade and a notable 10.8% betting edge backing the Bulls.
Our internal public bet tracking data indicates that the market is also taking notice: the Bulls are drawing 60% of bets and 52% of the money, signaling steady support against an inflated spread.
Boston's methodical tempo limits their upside to consistently blow teams out by 15+ points, while Chicago’s offensive pace (107.6) should ensure enough possessions to stay within striking distance.
Let's back the Bulls to cover tonight.
Pick: Bulls +14.5 (-110, DraftKings)
