The first night of the 2026 NBA Cup brings the Chicago Bulls to TD Garden Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET, with the Boston Celtics favored by 14.5 and the total at 234.5.
My Bulls vs. Celtics prediction highlights a potential track meet, plus a combo and player props as provide more in our NBA picks for Oct. 30.
Bulls vs Celtics prediction: Over 234.5
Give me the Over 234.5, up to 236.5.
Monday, these teams played at a 107.1 pace, which would lead the NBA if it belonged to an individual team.
The Boston Celtics are more of a half-court team, but they'll gladly get into a shootout with the Chicago Bulls. Boston lives from deep, while per CleaningTheGlass.com, Chicago owns the second-best shot quality in the NBA (second in frequency at the rim and fourth in 3-point attempt rate).
Since this is an NBA Cup game and point differential is a tiebreaker for group play, both teams will be trying until the final buzzer. Meaning, the Celtics will run up the score if they can and the Bulls will reduce their deficit.
COVERS INTEL: The Bulls are due for positive shooting regression Friday: Chicago only hit 20% of its wide-open threes (4-for-20) and less than half of its shots at the rim, per CleaningTheGlass.com.
Bulls vs Celtics combo
Reminder: I’m only risking 0.25u on NBA combos moving forward, so I’m comfortable taking a bigger swing when the game script lines up this cleanly.
I'm using Chicago +14.5 mostly based on the zig-zag theory, which is when you trade the opposite of what happened two teams in their rematch. The Celtics blasted the Bulls Monday but the spread is the same. I.e., the market isn't overreacting to Boston's 35-point win.
For the second leg, I'm predicting that Chicago has a better shooting night in the same gym, which helps it cover the spread and cash my Over.
And I’ll get to Chicago wing Norman Powell's 20+ points prop below, but his scoring role fits perfectly with that bounce-back script.
Bulls vs Celtics combo
- Over 234.5
- Chicago +14.5
- Norman Powell 20+ points
Bulls vs Celtics player props
TOP PICK
Bulls player prop: Norman Powell 20+ points
Norman Powell's 20+ points prop is playable up to 54%, and it's my favorite pick in this game.
He is a microwave scorer that can heat up regardless of the game state. Powell leads Chicago's starting 5 in true shooting rate, which blends 2-point, 3-point and free-throw shooting.
Through his first five games, Powell has a career-high "points per shot attempt," according to CleaningTheGlass.com, and he scored a team-high 20 points against Boston Monday.
I also like the fit with Chicago PG Josh Giddey. He can handle the table-setting and organize Chicago's offense, allowing Powell to focus on scoring.
If this game turns into another track meet, Powell should have plenty of opportunities to get his 20.
Celtics player prop: Derrick White 3+ made threes
Boston combo guard Derrick White's 3+ made threes has value up to 53%.
He hit just one 3-pointer against Chicago Monday but he only played 18:01 minutes because it was a blowout. White will get more run Friday because I'm predicting a closer game. Plus, White has a 51.2% 3-point attempt rate because his role in Boston's offense is to catch-and-shoot.
Jayson Tatum and Paul George will command most of the opposing defense's attention, allowing White to go bombs away. Given Chicago's poor defense and the projected pace, White should have the volume to clear this number.
- Top picks: 6-4, 2.07 units
- Combos: 0-10, -8.50 units
Bulls vs Celtics odds
For help understanding probabilities, see our odds calculator.
- Spread: Bulls +14.5 | Celtics -14.5
- Over/Under: Over 234.5 | Under 234.5
- Moneyline: Bulls 13% | Celtics 88%
For the full slate of NBA matchups, check out our NBA odds board!
Bulls vs Celtics trend
Last season, Chicago was 15-12 to the Over as a road underdog with a +5.6 margin on the total. Find more NBA betting trends.
How to watch Bulls vs Celtics
| Location | TD Garden, Boston, MA |
| Date | Friday, Oct. 30, 2026 |
| Tip off | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | NBC Sports Boston, CHSN, NBA TV |
Bulls vs Celtics latest injuries
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Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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