StatFox.com - Sports Handicapping Community

The Leader In Sports Handicapping

Bulls face Celtics in Wednesday night showdown
By: Zach Cohen - StatFox
Published: 11/2/2016  at  11:11:00 AM
  Print This Article    

CHICAGO BULLS (3-0)

at BOSTON CELTICS (2-1)

Tip-off: Wednesday, 8:05 p.m. ET
Line: Boston-3.5, Total: 210.5

The Bulls will be looking to stay perfect with a win over the Celtics in Boston on Wednesday.

Chicago has surprised a ton of people by opening up the season at 3-0. Many questioned whether or not this team had enough shooting ability to win games, but the Bulls have a +17.7 point differential and the team is averaging an absurd 113.7 PPG (2nd in NBA). The Celtics, meanwhile, are 2-1 after wins over the Nets in the season opener and the Hornets in their most recent game. Sandwiched in between those two victories is a 105-99 loss to this same Bulls team, so Boston will definitely have revenge on its mind on Wednesday. Chicago has, however, played well at TD Garden recently, as the team has split wins both SU and ATS in Boston over the past three seasons. One trend worth keeping an eye on is the fact that Chicago is 2-11 ATS in road games after scoring 105 points or more with Fred Hoiberg as head coach. The Celtics, meanwhile, are 28-15 ATS when the total is greater than or equal to 210 with Brad Stevens leading the team. The Bulls were dealt a blow when they found out that PG Michael Carter-Williams (Knee) would be out for 4-6 weeks on Tuesday. They do have depth, though, and they’ll find a way to work through it. The Celtics are hurting in this game, though, as they’ll be without Cs Al Horford (Concussion) and Kelly Olynyk (Shoulder).

Chicago’s offense was supposed to be an issue this season, but that certainly hasn’t been the case early on. The Bulls lead the NBA in offensive efficiency, as they are scoring 118.1 points per 100 possessions (1st in NBA) despite not having any legitimate three-point shooters on the floor. SF Jimmy Butler (20.7 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.0 SPG) has been a big part of that for Chicago, as he has really thrived early in the season. Butler is shooting 50% from the floor and has knocked down 54.5% of his threes, which has helped give the Bulls some much-needed spacing thus far. It’s impressive that Butler has been able to play so well, as he is not used to sharing the ball as much as he has had to with PG Rajon Rondo (6.7 PPG, 8.7 APG, 1.7 SPG) and SG Dwyane Wade (16.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.7 SPG). Both Rondo and Wade are no longer in their primes, but they have played well for Chicago through three games. Rondo is still finding teammates for open buckets and Wade continues to find ways to score in the midrange and around the basket. Look for Rondo to be fired up in this one, as he will definitely want to put on a show in his return to Boston. Wade could also be a real problem in this one, as he had 22 points, six boards and five assists in their season opener against this Celtics team on Oct. 27.

Boston might not be as efficient as Chicago now, but its pretty safe to say that the team will be at some point this season. The Celtics were an offensive juggernaut last season, and PG Isaiah Thomas (24.7 PPG, 6.7 APG, 3.3 RPG, 1.3 SPG) should be in for a big game for Boston. He had 25 points on 10-for-15 when these teams met on Oct. 27 and should be better this time around. Thomas was just 2-for-6 from the free throw line in that game, and he’ll definitely knock down a better percentage from the charity stripe on Wednesday. SG Avery Bradley (21.3 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 4.7 APG) will also be ready to go off in this one. Bradley has been unconscious from the outside this season, shooting 66.7% from three. Look for him to make his impact felt from downtown, but also expect him to play some great perimeter defense as well. The x-factor in this game will, however, be SF Jae Crowder (14.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.7 SPG, 1.3 BPG). Crowder has been great offensively this season, but he needs to do his best to lock down Jimmy Butler on Wednesday. He let Butler do whatever he wanted to last time around and that can’t happen again.


FoxSheets.com
The FoxSheets - the most advanced sports handicapping information available on the internet.
Sign up for professional sports betting information including fantastic trends, and Free FoxSheets.
E-mail: