The Boston Celtics are riding a wave of momentum, having secured four wins in their last five games, including three consecutive victories. As they prepare to face the Chicago Bulls on Monday evening, the Celtics are eager to extend their winning streak.
Jaylen Brown has stepped into the spotlight as a top scorer, particularly with Jayson Tatum sidelined. The forward recently matched his career-high by tallying 50 points in a game against the Clippers, pushing his average to an impressive 30.1 points per game, which ranks him fourth in the NBA. Brown expressed confidence in his abilities, stating, “I feel like I’m the best two-way player in the game… I want to take on the challenge each and every night, try to help my team get wins.”
The Bulls find themselves at a .500 record of 17-18 and come into this matchup having won four straight games on the road. However, they will be without key players Josh Giddey and Coby White, both of whom have been ruled out due to injuries.
Currently, the Celtics have no major injury concerns apart from Tatum’s ongoing recovery from Achilles surgery. The team is looking to capitalize on their home crowd at TD Garden, where the tipping point for Monday’s game is set for 7:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on NBC Sports Boston.
The Celtics hold a strong season record of 22-12, placing them third in the Eastern Conference, 3.5 games behind the leading Detroit Pistons. Boston’s home court success is notable, with a 10-5 record thus far.
Statistically, both teams present interesting figures. Chicago boasts a slightly higher points per game average, at 118.3, compared to Boston’s 117.9. However, the Celtics excel in defensive metrics, allowing just 110.7 points per game, significantly lower than Chicago’s 121.8.
In their previous outing, the Celtics rolled past the Clippers with a score of 146-115, and coach Joe Mazzulla praised Brown’s all-around performance, highlighting his defensive impact as well. The Bulls, on the other hand, recently suffered a setback, losing to Charlotte while struggling from beyond the arc.
As the game approaches, both teams will be eager to reinforce their standings, but with the Celtics’ current form and Brown’s electric scoring, the odds seem to favor Boston in this clash.