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Preview: Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics - prediction, team news, form guide

Sports Mole previews Saturday's NBA clash between Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics, including predictions, team news and form guides.

The United Center will play host to Saturday's meeting between the Chicago Bulls and the Boston Celtics as the teams go head-to-head in the latest round of NBA regular-season matches.
 
The hosts will be keen to enjoy home comfort on their return to familiar terrain off the back of a defeat to the Orlando Magic, while the visitors go in search of win number seven on the bounce.


Match preview

Jayson Tatum 0 of the Boston Celtics on September 24, 2024© Imago
 
As expected, the Boston Celtics have been one of the most dominant teams in the NBA this term as they look to claim consecutive championships off the back of a record 18th Larry O'Brien trophy last time out.
 
Second only to the Cleveland Cavaliers (17-1), Joe Mazzulla's men have flown out of the blocks with 15 wins from their 18 matches, including a triumph over the aforementioned Cavaliers, leaving them as the only side to have got the better of the Eastern Conference leaders so far.
 
Last time out, the Celtics made light work of the challenge posed by the Los Angeles Clippers, claiming an emphatic 126-94 triumph at TD Garden on Tuesday morning in the second of a two-game home stretch.
 
Equalling an NBA record for the most three-pointers made in a quarter (12), the defending champions ran their opponents ragged in the first half to go into the interval with a commanding 29-point advantage which laid the foundation for a routine win.
 
Saturday's visitors will now set out to lay down another statement of intent when they face off against a Bulls side who have struggled in this fixture of late having lost the last four editions, giving up over 120 points in each of the most recent three clashes.

The Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan pictured on October 12, 2024© Imago
 
Just over 24 hours after their commanding 127-108 victory against the Washington Wizards, the Chicago Bulls were back in action against the Orlando Magic on Thursday when they suffered a 133-119 defeat at the Amway Center.
 
A slow start to proceedings at both ends of the court saw Billy Donovan's men head into the locker room trailing 73-54, and despite a mini revival in the second half, the Bulls just could not get themselves back into the game.
 
Having split their last six games evenly into three wins and three defeats apiece, the Bulls have blown hot and cold and will be looking to string together a decent run of results to improve their standings in the Eastern Conference.
 
To do that, Donovan's side must first tighten things up at the defensive end, having allowed more points per game (123.6) than any other team in the NBA so far, largely undermining their offensive output (117.9), which ranks fifth in the division.

Chicago Bulls NBA form:
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • L

Boston Celtics NBA form:
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W


Team News

Brook Lopez of the Milwaukee Bucks guards Coby White of the Chicago Bulls on October 23, 2024© Imago
 
Dalen Terry could not complete his side's clash against the Magic last time out due to an ankle injury and is consequently a huge doubt to feature on Saturday.
 
Jalen Smith did not play any part in the aforementioned game through an ankle problem, but the 24-year-old is drawing increasingly closer to making his comeback.
 
Adama Sanogo (knee) and Patrick Williams (foot) wrap up the list of current Bulls absentees, although there is a chance that Williams will be back in time to suit up for Saturday's clash.
 
As for the Celtics, it is as you were against the Los Angeles Clippers last time out with only Al Horford (illness) and Luke Kornet (hamstring) currently available.
 
Kristaps Porzingis recently made his season debut after recovering from an ankle problem, and the Latvian could see his minutes managed once again here.


Chicago Bulls possible starting five:
White, Dosunmu; LaVine, Giddey; Vucevic 

Boston Celtics possible starting five:
Holiday, White; Brown, Tatum; Porzingis


SM words green background

We say: Celtics to win by 9+ points

With the return of Porzingis, an already formidable Celtics side now have their best starting five available, which represents bad news for the rest of the league.
 
We fully expect the defending champions to cruise to a routine win when all is said and done here.

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Miami Heat forward Meyers Leonard (0) reacts after blocking a shot from Philadelphia 76ers guard Furkan Korkmaz (not pictured) during the second half at American Airlines Arena on December 28, 2019
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