Chicago (14-26) at Boston (26-11)
When: Monday, January 13th, 2020
Where: TD Garden,
Boston, MA
Time: 7:05 ET | TV: NBCS Boston
Opening Odds: Boston -9.5/215.5
Two teams that have not fared well recently against the spread will battle on Monday night in TD Garden as the Boston Celtics host the Chicago Bulls. Both teams just ended losing streaks over the weekend with much-needed wins and will hope to keep that momentum going Monday. The Celtics snapped a season-high three game skid with a 140-105 trouncing of New Orleans on Saturday, but are just 3-6 ATS in their last nine overall. The three losses came as favorites and it followed a 111-104 road win versus the Bulls on Jan. 4. Chicago is just 1-5-1 ATS in their last seven and snapped a six-game losing streak with a 108-99 road win at Detroit on Saturday. The Celtics have won six of the last seven meetings versus the Bulls after Jayson Tatum scored 28 points to lead the way in the victory nine days ago. Chicago’s leading scorer Zach LaVine poured in 35 points in that contest including 5-of-9 from beyond the arc.
Starting point guard Kris Dunn averages just 7.2 points and 3.3 assists per game, but is doing his job on the defensive end with 2.03 steals per game – second in the NBA – and has three thefts against Boston on Jan. 4. LaVine is averaging 30.2 points a game in the month of January and tallied 25 on Saturday despite going 1-of-9 from 3-point range. Forward Lauri Markkanen (15.3) sits behind LaVine in scoring while Wendell Carter Jr. is next with 11.7 points per contest and a team-best 9.9 rebounds, but will miss 4-to-6 weeks with an ankle injury. Chicago will alternate road and home games the next five contests including a home date with Washington on Wednesday.
The Celtics shot a sizzling 55.0 percent on Saturday and small forward Gordon Hayward was 8-of-11 from the field and a team-high +38 rating while on the court for his 28 minutes. Tatum (21.3) is right behind Kemba Walker (21.9) for the team scoring lead and has recorded double figures in points in 28 consecutive games. Walker scored 17 and added seven assists versus New Orleans, while guard Jaylen Brown continues to struggle from the field (18-for-63 past four games). Center Enes Kanter recorded season highs of 22 points and 19 rebounds against New Orleans after scoring just 14 combined in the previous three games. Boston finished their three-game homestand against Detroit on Wednesday.
The Bulls have been struggling all year and now they don’t have their leading rebounder. Boston woke up the other night and I say they keep their foot on the gas here against Chicago.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free NBA Picks page for Monday. He is 44-34-3 (57%) on the season!
Pick: Celtics -9.5
Bulls are 8-2-1 ATS in their last 11 games as a road underdog.
Bulls are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Bulls are 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 road games.
Bulls are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Bulls are 7-19-1 ATS in their last 27 Monday games.
Bulls are 4-12 ATS in their last 16 games following a straight up win.
Bulls are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Bulls are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 games as an underdog.
Bulls are 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
Bulls are 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Bulls are 1-6-1 ATS in their last 8 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Bulls are 0-5-1 ATS in their last 6 games playing on 1 days rest.
Bulls are 0-4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Celtics are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 Monday games.
Celtics are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Celtics are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
Celtics are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as a favorite.
Celtics are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as a home favorite.
Celtics are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games.
Celtics are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Celtics are 1-6-1 ATS in their last 8 games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game.
Over is 5-0 in Bulls last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 5-0 in Bulls last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Over is 4-0 in Bulls last 4 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Over is 5-1 in Bulls last 6 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Bulls last 5 overall.
Over is 4-1 in Bulls last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 20-6 in Bulls last 26 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Under is 4-0 in Celtics last 4 Monday games.
Under is 4-1 in Celtics last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Celtics last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 4-1 in Celtics last 5 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Over is 4-1 in Celtics last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Under is 5-2 in Celtics last 7 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-2 in Celtics last 7 games as a favorite.
Bulls are 0-4 ATS in the last 4 meetings in Boston.
Bulls are 1-6 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
Over is 20-6 in the last 26 meetings in Boston.
