Game Time: Monday, January 5, 2026 at 7:30 PM ET
Location: TD Garden, Boston, MA
TV: NBC Sports Boston, CHSN
Spread: Celtics -10.5
Total: 236 points
Alright Bulls fans, reality check time. We’re 17-18, riding a four-game road winning streak, and heading into TD Garden to face a Boston Celtics team that’s 22-12 and just obliterated the Clippers 146-115.
We’re 10.5-point underdogs. The Celtics are on a three-game winning streak. Jayson Tatum is playing MVP-level basketball. And we’re walking into one of the toughest buildings in the NBA.
But here’s the thing—we’ve won FOUR straight on the road. Four. That’s not a fluke. That’s a team that’s figured something out away from home.
So yeah, we’re massive underdogs. But we didn’t come to Boston to get embarrassed.
Current Records: The Good, The Bad, and The Reality
Celtics: 22-12 (3rd in the East, three-game win streak)
Bulls: 17-18 (9th in the East, four-game road win streak)
Let’s be honest—Boston is way better than us. They’re five games over .500, sitting third in the East, and playing like a legitimate championship contender. They’ve got two All-Stars in Tatum and Jaylen Brown, elite role players, and they just scored 146 points against the Clippers.
We’re one game under .500, clinging to the 9th seed, and fighting just to stay above the play-in line. We’re not in the same tier as Boston.
But—and this is important—we’ve won four straight road games. That’s real. We’re not just rolling over and dying when we leave Chicago anymore. We’re competing, we’re executing, and we’re finding ways to win.
Can that streak survive TD Garden against a Celtics team that’s rolling? That’s the question.
Why Boston Is A 10.5-Point Favorite (And It’s Justified)
1. They Just Scored 146 Points
The Celtics dropped 146 on the Clippers. One hundred and forty-six. That’s video game numbers. Their offense is clicking at an absurd level right now—Tatum and Brown are both cooking, the role players are hitting shots, and they’re moving the ball beautifully.
We give up 114.9 points per game, which is middle-of-the-pack. Against this Celtics offense? We might give up 130+.
2. Jayson Tatum Is Playing Like An MVP
Tatum has been unconscious during this winning streak. He’s scoring from everywhere—threes, mid-range, drives to the basket. He’s facilitating. He’s playing defense. He’s doing everything.
And Jaylen Brown is right there with him. When you’ve got two All-Star wings who can both drop 30 on any given night, you’re really hard to beat.
3. TD Garden Is A Nightmare
Playing in Boston is never fun. The crowd is loud, hostile, and basketball-smart. They know when to get loud, they know when to mess with opposing free throw shooters, and they know how to make visiting teams uncomfortable.
We’ve won four straight on the road, but none of those games were at TD Garden. This is a different level of difficulty.
4. They’re Better At Everything
Boston scores more points. They rebound better (45.6 RPG vs our 43.2). They turn the ball over less (+2.1 turnover margin vs our +0.8). They shoot better from the field.
The 10.5-point spread isn’t disrespectful—it’s accurate.
Why The Bulls Can Cover (And Maybe Steal This Game)
1. We’re 4-0 On This Road Trip
Four straight road wins. That’s not a fluke. We’ve figured something out about playing away from the United Center.
Maybe it’s the lack of pressure. Maybe it’s the chip-on-our-shoulder mentality. Maybe we just play better when nobody expects us to win. Whatever it is, it’s working.
2. Coby White Is Playing Like A Starting-Caliber Guard
Coby White has been fantastic lately. He’s scoring consistently, attacking the basket, and making smart decisions with the ball. When Coby is aggressive and confident, our offense has a different gear.
Against Jrue Holiday’s elite defense, Coby will have his hands full. But if he can get into the paint and create opportunities, we’ve got a chance to keep pace offensively.
3. Nikola Vučević Needs To Dominate The Glass
Vooch has been our most consistent player this season. 15-16 points, 9-10 rebounds, steady presence every night. Against Kristaps Porziņģis, Vooch needs to be aggressive.
Porziņģis is a great shot-blocker and floor-spacer, but he’s not a dominant rebounder. If Vooch can win the rebounding battle and give us second-chance opportunities, we stay in the game.
4. DeMar DeRozan’s Midrange Mastery
DeMar’s mid-range game is timeless. He’s going to get his 20-22 points no matter who’s guarding him. Against Jayson Tatum, this will be a fun individual matchup to watch.
If DeMar gets hot and starts hitting those pull-up jumpers in rhythm, we can keep this game closer than 10.5 points.
5. Boston Might Look Ahead
The Celtics are riding high after demolishing the Clippers. Sometimes teams come out flat after a huge win like that, especially in a Monday night game against a team they’re “supposed to beat easily.”
If Boston sleepwalks through the first half and we jump out to an early lead, suddenly they’re in a dogfight. That’s our window.
The Key Matchups That’ll Decide Our Fate
Jayson Tatum vs DeMar DeRozan
This is the premier individual matchup. Two elite wing scorers with completely different styles.
Tatum is the modern NBA star—three-level scorer, can shoot from anywhere, athletic, versatile defender. He’s having an MVP-caliber season.
DeMar is old-school—mid-range assassin, gets to his spots, crafty veteran who knows how to score in the half-court. He’s been our most reliable scorer for years.
If DeMar can hold his own against Tatum (or better yet, outplay him), we’ve got a real chance. If Tatum goes off for 35+, we’re cooked.
Edge: Tatum, but DeMar can keep it competitive.
Nikola Vučević vs Kristaps Porziņģis
Battle of the European big men with completely different games.
Vooch is the bruiser—rebounds, post moves, mid-range jumpers. He’s going to bang in the paint and try to wear down KP.
Porziņģis is the unicorn—7’3″ with a three-point shot, elite rim protection, but not a dominant rebounder.
Vooch needs to win the rebounding battle and make KP work on defense. If Porziņģis can stretch Vooch away from the basket and protect the rim when Vooch tries to post up, advantage Celtics.
Edge: Toss-up. Depends on which aspect matters more—rebounding or rim protection.
Coby White vs Jrue Holiday
This is rough for Coby. Jrue Holiday is one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA. He’s smart, physical, and relentless.
Coby’s speed and scoring ability will be tested. If Jrue can contain him and force him into tough shots, our offense stalls. If Coby can use his quickness to get past Jrue and create opportunities, we stay in it.
Edge: Holiday. Coby will have to work for everything.
The Betting Lines: 10.5 Points Feels About Right
Spread: Celtics -10.5
Total: 236 points
I hate to say it, but 10.5 points feels fair. Boston is significantly better, at home, and playing great basketball. We’re good on the road right now, but this is a massive step up in competition.
My Picks
Lean: Bulls +10.5
I’m not confident enough to call this a “best bet,” but I think we keep it closer than 10.5. Our road streak is real, and we’ve shown we can compete when nobody believes in us. I’m taking the points.
Strong Lean: Over 236
Boston just scored 146. We’re averaging 114.9 per game. This feels like a game that goes 125-115 or something similar. Both teams can score, and I don’t see this being a defensive slugfest.
Avoid: Celtics -10.5
Laying 10.5 points with a team that might be looking ahead after destroying the Clippers? Pass. If you like Boston, take the moneyline.
Player Prop: Jayson Tatum Over 27.5 Points
Tatum is going to eat. He’ll probably hit the over in three quarters. Smash it.
My Prediction: We Lose, But We Don’t Get Blown Out
I want to believe in the road streak magic. I want to think we can walk into TD Garden and shock the Celtics.
But Boston is really, really good right now. And we’re really, really mediocre.
Final Score: Celtics 120, Bulls 112
We keep it competitive for three quarters. Coby and DeMar score. Vooch controls the glass. We’re down 5-7 points heading into the fourth.
Then Tatum and Brown take over, the Celtics pull away, and we lose by 8-10 points.
We cover the 10.5, but we don’t win. That’s the best-case scenario.
Keys To Covering (Or Winning)
For the Bulls to cover +10.5:
Score first and set the tone
Vooch wins the rebounding battle (+5 boards)
DeMar and Coby combine for 45+ points
Force 12+ turnovers
Don’t let Tatum or Brown get nuclear (30+ each)
What kills us:
Tatum drops 40+
Brown also goes off for 30+
We go cold from three in the second half
Jrue Holiday completely shuts down Coby
We get dominated on the glass
The Honest Bulls Fan Take
We’re 17-18 and heading into one of the toughest buildings in basketball to face one of the best teams in the East. We’re 10.5-point underdogs, and Vegas isn’t wrong.
But we’ve won four straight on the road. We’ve got momentum. We’ve got guys playing with confidence. And we’ve proven we can compete when expectations are low.
Will we win? Probably not. Boston is too good, too deep, and playing too well right now.
But can we cover 10.5? I think so. I think we keep it competitive for three quarters, make Boston work for it, and lose by 7-9 points.
That’s good enough for me. A competitive loss on the road against a championship contender while covering the spread? I’ll take it.
Bulls +10.5. Let’s make Boston earn this one.
Game Info Summary
When: Monday, January 5, 2026 at 7:30 PM ET
Where: TD Garden, Boston, MA
TV: NBC Sports Boston, CHSN
Records: Bulls 17-18, Celtics 22-12
Spread: Celtics -10.5
Total: 236 points
Storylines:
Bulls on four-game road winning streak
Celtics on three-game winning streak (just beat Clippers 146-115)
Tatum playing MVP-level basketball
Bulls fighting to stay above play-in line
Key Stat: Boston averages 118.4 PPG, we give up 114.9 PPG
Final Betting Picks:
Bulls +10.5 (lean)
Over 236 (strong lean)
Jayson Tatum Over 27.5 points (lock it in)
Let´s Go Bulls!!! Let’s keep the road magic alive and cover this spread.
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