Vucevic, Bulls square off against the Celtics

Updated Dec. 18, 2024 2:03 a.m. ET

Associated Press

Chicago Bulls (12-15, ninth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (21-5, second in the Eastern Conference)

Boston; Thursday, 7:30 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Celtics -14.5; over/under is 245.5

BOTTOM LINE: Nikola Vucevic and the Chicago Bulls visit Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics in Eastern Conference play.

The Celtics have gone 19-3 against Eastern Conference opponents. Boston is eighth in the league with 34.2 defensive rebounds per game led by Tatum averaging 8.5.

The Bulls are 10-8 against Eastern Conference opponents. Chicago gives up 121.9 points to opponents and has been outscored by 3.0 points per game.

The Celtics are shooting 45.8% from the field this season, 2.3 percentage points lower than the 48.1% the Bulls allow to opponents. The Bulls score 9.1 more points per game (118.9) than the Celtics allow their opponents to score (109.8).

TOP PERFORMERS: Derrick White is shooting 45.5% and averaging 17.4 points for the Celtics.

Vucevic is averaging 21.1 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists for the Bulls.

LAST 10 GAMES: Celtics: 8-2, averaging 118.7 points, 48.0 rebounds, 26.7 assists, 7.6 steals and 6.4 blocks per game while shooting 45.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.1 points per game.

Bulls: 5-5, averaging 122.7 points, 43.5 rebounds, 30.7 assists, 8.1 steals and 5.8 blocks per game while shooting 48.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 120.3 points.

INJURIES: Celtics: Sam Hauser: day to day (adductor), Al Horford: day to day (rest), Jayson Tatum: day to day (patella), Jaden Springer: day to day (illness).

Bulls: Dalen Terry: day to day (knee), Zach LaVine: day to day (leg), Josh Giddey: day to day (ankle), E.J. Liddell: day to day (leg).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.