Here's what you need to know about the Chicago Bulls visiting the Boston Celtics.
It seems the Chicago Bulls are meant to fight for a .500 winning percentage, but the road ahead will be tough as usual.
The injury crisis continues to stomp the Bulls. Jalen Smith walked off the court during the Hornets game and is set to be out tonight due to a concussion. However, there is good news in Coby White’s “probable” return, as noted in the injury report. He went through the shootaround today, according to CHSN’s K.C. Johnson. Though the Bulls would be intimidating without star power, the Charlotte loss on Saturday exposed that Chicago actually needs an absolute scorer to run the momentum, which White should be good at taking on.
Battling Boston will be a tough test for the shorthanded Bulls. Despite losing Jason Tatum due to a ruptured right Achilles tendon, the Celtics have navigated their identity without him. While deploying what he left on the roster, Joe Mazzulla also welcomed a surging Jaylen Brown, who scored 50 points against the Los Angeles Clippers and averaged 31.7 points in December.
In offensive rating, net rating, and other major categories, the Celtics overwhelmed the Bulls. Or, simply put, they ranked 3rd in the East Conference.
Tough fight tonight, but don’t ever underestimate how the Bulls’ depth, still ranking second (44.7) in bench scoring, will surprise the league. The beauty of the inconsistent but dangerous Bulls is their potential to knock top teams down sometimes.
How to Watch
Chicago Bulls (17-18) @ Boston Celtics (22-12)
Location: TD Garden | Boston, Mass.
Tipoff: Monday, 6:30 p.m. CT
TV: Chicago Sports Network (Bulls) | NBC Sports Boston (Celtics)
Radio: 670 The Score (Bulls) | 98.5 The Sports Hub (Celtics)
Streams: FuboTV, NBA League Pass
Line: -11.5 (Celtics)
Over/Under: 234.5 to 236.5
Injury Report
Bulls:
- Zach Collins: Out (Sprained Right Big Toe)
- Noa Essengue: Out (Left Shoulder Surgery)
- Trentyn Flowers: Out (Right Knee Sprain)
- Josh Giddey: Out (Left Hamstring Strain)
- Emanuel Miller: Out (G League/Two-Way)
- Lachlan Olbrich: Out (Left Ankle Sprain)
- Coby White: Probable (Right Calf Tightness)
- Jalen Smith: Out (Concussion)
Celtics:
- Ron Harper Jr.: Probable (G League - Two-Way)
- Max Shulga: Probable (G League - Two-Way)
- Jayson Tatum: Out (Injury/Illness - Right Achilles; Repair)
- Amari Williams: Probable (G League - Two-Way)
Last Game Starter
Bulls:
- Tre Jones
- Matas Buzelis
- Isaac Okoro
- Jalen Smith
- Nikola Vucevic
Celtics:
- Payton Pritchard
- Jaylen Brown
- Derrick White
- Sam Hauser
- Neemias Queta