Keys to Chicago Bulls’ road game vs. Boston Celtics

The Bulls are playing great against the best teams in the Eastern Conference this season.

The Chicago Bulls (19-21) visit the Boston Celtics (28-12) tonight. The Bulls are coming off a 126-118 home win against the Jazz on Saturday. Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 36 points, seven rebounds, and two assists, DeMar DeRozan had 35 points, seven assists, and two rebounds, and Nikola Vucevic added 15 points, 16 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks.

The Bulls are 8-3 since December’s meltdown in Minnesota, and 8-1 against the Celtics, Bucks, Nets, and Heat this season (2-1 against the Celtics).

Chicago Bulls (18-21) vs. Boston Celtics (28-12)

Monday, January 9 – 07:30 PM ET at TD Garden

Chicago Bulls

• Points Per Game: 115.1 (12th of 30)
• Opponent Points Per Game: 115.5 (18th of 30)
• Bench Points Per Game: 31.4 (24th of 30)
• Pace: 99.8 (13th of 30)
• Offensive Rating: 113.9 (15th of 30)
• Defensive Rating: 114.3 (21st of 30)
• Net Rating: -0.4 (18th of 30)

Boston Celtics

• Points Per Game: 118.8 (1st of 30)
• Opponent Points Per Game: 113 (13th of 30)
• Bench Points Per Game: 32.8 (19th of 30)
• Pace: 99.6 (15th of 30)
• Offensive Rating: 118 (1st of 30)
• Defensive Rating: 112.2 (10th of 30)
• Net Rating: +5.8 (1st of 30)

Contain Malcolm Brogdon and Robert Williams III

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have been unstoppable this season, they scored 34 and 29 points respectively in Saturday's 121-116 road win against the Spurs, but it was Malcolm Brogdon and Robert Williams III who made a big difference off the bench.

Brogdon had 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting, seven assists, and a team-high +10, while Williams added 10 points, 11 rebounds, four blocks, and two steals to spark the Celtics. Boston had a 112-101 lead with six minutes to play, but San Antonio tied the game in the final minute.

Clutch defensive plays from Williams and Derrick White sealed the game. Containing Brogdon and Williams is a must if the Bulls want to win their third game against the Celtics this season.

Defend the paint

The Bulls had a 53-49 lead at halftime against the Jazz, but Utah dominated the third quarter, outscoring them 40-31, to take a five-point lead entering the fourth. The Bulls struggled to contain the Jazz’s dribble penetration and protect the rim, allowing 24 points in the paint on 12-of-13 shooting in those 12 minutes.

The Jazz finished the game with 68 points in the paint and they were 29-of-38 (76.3%) on their shots at the rim. Alex Caruso and Javonte Green would not have solved all of the issues the Bulls had, but their absence hurt Chicago’s perimeter defense. The Bulls must do a better job defending the paint against the Celtics.

Noteworthy

• The Bulls won the last meeting, 121-107 on November 21st. DeRozan led the Bulls with 28 points.

• Boston beat Chicago three of the last five times.

• The Bulls are 5-5 in the last 10 matchups against the Celtics.

• Bulls’ projected lineup: Vucevic, Williams, DeRozan, LaVine, Dosunmu

• Celtics’ projected lineup: Horford, Tatum, Brown, Smart, White

• Injury Report: Lonzo Ball is out for the Bulls with a left knee injury. Javonte Green (right knee soreness) and Tony Bradley (non-COVID illness) will also miss this game. Alex Caruso (right ankle sprain) is listed as questionable.

• Marcus Smart (left knee contusion) is doubtful for the Celtics