The Boston Celtics return to TD Garden on Monday evening to host the Chicago Bureau in an early-season matchup that highlights contrasting trajectories for both franchises. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., with television coverage provided by NBCSB and radio broadcasts on WBZ-FM 98.5. Oddsmakers have installed Boston as a 14-point favorite, with the over/under set at 232.5 points.
Boston enters the contest with an even 1-1 record on the young season, holding an identical 1-1 mark against the spread and on the over/under. Over their last 10 games dating back to the previous campaign, the Celtics sit at 5-5 overall, 4-6 against the spread, and 3-7 on the over/under. Statistical indicators show Boston averaging 110.0 points per game while surrendering 112.0 points. The team is shooting 45.7 percent from the field and holding opponents to 45.2 percent. From beyond the arc, the Celtics have established a strong 39.5 percent success rate, though opponents are shooting 38.8 percent against them.
Early-season attention in Boston has also focused on the development of young rotation pieces. Jordan Walsh earned starting nods in the opening two contests, taking on formidable defensive assignments against Detroit’s Cade Cunningham and New York’s Jalen Brunson. Paul George offered high praise for Walsh’s performance against the Knicks, noting that the young defender successfully set the tone by navigating physicality and frustrating his opponent out of rhythm without crossing the line into excessive contact.
Chicago arrives in Boston carrying a 1-2 record, matching its 1-2 mark against the spread. The Bulls’ over/under record stands at 1-1 with one push, while their broader 10-game trend shows a 3-7 record overall, 4-6 against the spread, and 3-6 on the over/under with one push. The Bulls’ early schedule has proved turbulent. They opened the campaign with a 43-point loss to the Raptors, rebounded with a seven-point victory over the Bucks, and then dropped a 124-120 home opener to the Wizards on Saturday.
Statistically, Chicago is averaging 114.7 points per game while allowing 128.0 points to opponents—a defensive vulnerability that places them second-worst in the league behind only Milwaukee, which is surrendering 129.0 points per contest. The Bulls are shooting 40.9 percent from the floor, while opponents are shooting 47.5 percent. Their most glaring offensive hurdle has been perimeter shooting; Chicago is currently pacing the league with a 22.6 percent conversion rate from 3-point range, while opponents shoot 35.5 percent from deep against them.
Following Saturday’s narrow defeat to Washington, head coach Tiago Splitter addressed his squad’s shooting hesitations, emphasizing that players must maintain confidence in their practice habits. Splitter noted that the team lacks a 7-foot-3-inch presence to erase defensive mistakes, making collective effort and floor spacing mandatory.
Despite the early offensive struggles, rookie Caleb Wilson has provided a major bright spot. The fourth overall selection in the 2026 NBA Draft scored a game-high 30 points against Washington and paces the Bulls with 22.3 points per game.
Historically, the matchup favors the hosts heavily. The Celtics have claimed victory in nine of the last 11 meetings between the two franchises. Monday’s game initiates a busy stretch, representing the first of two encounters between the teams this week. After Monday’s final whistle, the Celtics will welcome the Brooklyn Nets to TD Garden on Tuesday before rounding out the week by hosting the Bulls once again on Friday. Meanwhile, Chicago will travel to face the New York Knicks on Wednesday before returning to Boston for the rematch.
