Chicago has already seen what this Boston team can do. Now the Bulls have to go back into the same building and try to do something about it.
Just four days after a lopsided loss, the Chicago Bulls return to TD Garden to face the Boston Celtics again on Friday, October 30, with tip-off around 7:30 pm ET. This one counts as an NBA Cup game, so the stakes go beyond another early-season result.
What Happened Monday
The first meeting was not close. Boston beat Chicago 134-99, a 35-point margin that told the story of the night.
The Celtics did it with shooting. Boston hit 21 of 44 from three (47.7%) and shot nearly 50% overall, while the Bulls made just 27% of their threes and shot under 40% from the field. Payton Pritchard led the way with 28 points on 7-of-10 from deep, Jayson Tatum added 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, and Paul George chipped in 16.
For Chicago, there were some bright spots. Norman Powell scored 20 with four steals, and rookie Caleb Wilson, the No. 4 pick, added 17 points and 5 rebounds in a solid performance. But 24 turnovers and a 54-40 rebounding disadvantage made it impossible to keep pace.
Why the Rematch Is Interesting
Back-to-back meetings against the same opponent create a different kind of game. The Bulls have film from Monday, a clearer idea of what went wrong, and no real reason to expect the same shooting night from either side. Boston's 47.7% from three isn't a number most teams can repeat, and Chicago's 27% was well below what the roster is capable of.
On the other side, the Celtics now know exactly how they won, and a team with Tatum, George, and a deep supporting cast doesn't need hot shooting to be dangerous.
The Market's Take
Oddsmakers aren't treating this as a toss-up. Boston is a double-digit favorite, laying around 11.5 points, with the total set in the low 230s. That's a big number for the Bulls to cover, especially on the road.
What to Watch
- Turnovers. Chicago gave the ball away 24 times on Monday. Cutting that number is the clearest path to staying in this game.
- Three-point regression. Boston shot nearly 48% from deep. Can the Celtics keep it up, or does Chicago get some breathing room?
- Rebounding. A 14-rebound gap is a lot to overcome.
- Caleb Wilson's growth. How does the rookie handle a second look at a top-tier opponent?
- Cup stakes. Does the NBA Cup context change how both teams approach the game?
Why This Game Is Worth a Closer Look
A 35-point result can be misleading in both directions. It can mean a talent gap, or it can mean one team had a great night and the other had a rough one. When the spread is this large, the details matter even more.
We ran the numbers on this one and landed on a pick we feel good about, complete with the moneyline, expected value, and edge that our subscribers see before tip-off.
👉 See the full breakdown and unlock the pick at thelongshotreport.com/predictions
This preview is based on information available before the game. Lineups, injuries, and odds can shift, so always double-check the numbers before you bet. Sports predictions aren't guarantees, and betting carries risk.