NBA 2021/22 on Thursday, 07.04.2022
The Chicago Bulls continue to fight for the sixth and thus last spot that guarantees a direct playoff participation tonight against the Boston Celtics. To secure this, they only need to win one more game!
Nevertheless, the chances of success with regard to tonight are conceivably poor. Because as we will learn in my Bulls Celtics tip, from squad status to the home side’s past record against top teams, there is a lot to be said for the C’s.
After yesterday’s defeat, Bulls fans should not fall victim to a possible underdog bet on the red and white team to win the NBA title, despite all the justified euphoria about the surprisingly successful season of their favourites.
The bottom line is that yesterday’s defeat against the defending champions was to be expected. After all, Chicago has a devastating season record of (1-19) against the top four in the Eastern Conference and the top three in the Western Conference.
Incidentally, the only win dates back to a victory over the Celtics on 1 November. But it should be clear from these numbers at the latest that these are certainly not the ideal statistical prerequisites for making the playoffs.
The Bulls also showed their usual weaknesses against top teams in yesterday’s loss to the Bucks – especially in the closing stages – when the defending champions turned it up a notch and extended their lead to 127-106.
However, we have to make allowances for the current starting five of the red and white, because the two superstars Lonzo Ball and Zach LaVine were both not on the court, which is why the defeat was to a certain extent pre-programmed.
While Lonzo Ball has been injured for a long time and will be out until the end of the season, the resting of LaVine came as a surprise!
He was out for the first time in weeks against Milwaukee due to a slight injury – a return for tonight is still considered unlikely at the moment.
Without Ball AND LaVine, however, it will be very difficult against these Celtics. A look at the standings, meanwhile, might clarify the question of whether head coach Billy Donovan should actually risk the latter’s health just before the playoffs begin.
The answer is no. The Bulls have a comfortable lead over the Cavs and have a much better chance of securing their sixth place in the next game against the match-weak Hornets.
A defeat in the final phase of the season is always painful, but there is still no reason to put all your eggs in one basket. Especially since the Celtics seem to have the advantage for several reasons!
The Celtics have been the most productive among Western Conference teams of late, with no other team wringing more than eight wins out of their last ten NBA games. Moreover, the Green and Whites are forced to trade.
Boston is tied with the 76ers and the Bucks for the coveted 2nd place, which would significantly improve their chances of an easy play-off ticket. The starting position for the visitors is therefore completely different: They need the Win more urgently!
Moreover, they do C’s much better than the Bulls against opponents with a strong game. Against franchises with a win rate of more than 50%, the C’s have won 55.6% of their games.
The visitors are the clear favourites with average odds of 1.40, while the Red and Whites will be the underdogs with an average of 3.05 despite home advantage.
Incidentally, the C’s won the last direct encounter between the two franchises in mid-January with 114:112.
Conclusion: Boston has three players with Al Horford, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum who are not at 100% physically and would rather be spared. Nevertheless, I strongly expect them to play some minutes.
Because the Celtics need this win more urgently and are also in much better shape. For the Bulls, it would probably be better to take more risks only in the following game against the Hornets.
With a horrendous record against the top 3 teams in both conferences and Ball and LaVine out of action, it will be incredibly difficult to keep the visitors, who are fighting for 2nd place, from winning anyway.
So my Boston Celtics Chicago Bulls tip is: The C’s win by at least three points
