Bulls vs. Celtics Prediction, NBA Odds & Best Bets (10/26)

Fact checked at 8:08 AM ET, Oct 26, 2026

Odds as of 7:39 AM ET, Oct 26, 2026

Chicago (1-2) visits Boston (1-1) for a 7:30 PM ET tipoff at TD Garden, and the Bulls bring a defense that has given up 128 points per game over three games: 135 in a 135-92 loss at Toronto, 125 in a 132-125 win at Milwaukee and 124 in a 124-120 home loss to Washington. Boston's stars have already had big nights. Paul George scored 38 with seven threes in a 121-113 loss at Detroit, and Jayson Tatum put up 36 in a 107-103 win over New York.

Boston is a heavy favorite, Chicago +525 and Boston -752 on the consensus moneyline, and the total is 233.5. Nic Claxton is out for Chicago with a left hamstring strain, and Patrick Williams and Noa Essengue are questionable on the latest injury report. Claxton and Williams haven't played this season. Boston lists only Devin Carter, out with an illness. The expected starters are Josh Giddey, Norman Powell, Matas Buzelis, Caleb Wilson and Jalen Smith for Chicago, and Derrick White, George, Tatum, Jordan Walsh and Mitchell Robinson for Boston, though neither club has confirmed them. Boston is on the front end of a back-to-back, with Brooklyn next.

We expect a fast, high-scoring game. Boston's stars get theirs against a Chicago defense that hasn't held anyone under 124, and the Bulls answer through their two starting frontcourt players, Wilson and Smith, the way they did at Milwaukee and against Washington. That gets the total past 233.5 and both Chicago scorers past their numbers.

Bulls vs. Celtics Predictions

• Pick #1: Over 233.5 (-105)
• Pick #2: Caleb Wilson Over 16.5 Points (-125)
• Pick #3: Jalen Smith Over 10.5 Points (-125)

PICK #1: Over 233.5 (-105)

The Bulls' three games finished with 227, 257 and 244 total points, and Boston's opener, the 121-113 loss at Detroit, totaled 234. That's three of the five games these teams have played going over 233.5.

Chicago has scored too: 132 at Milwaukee and 120 against Washington, with Wilson and Powell each scoring 18 or more in both games. On the other side, George had 38 at Detroit, and Tatum scored 25 of his 36 after halftime against New York. Against a defense allowing 128, the Celtics don't need a big night from the bench to reach the 120s. Some books also hang 232.5, a point better for the Over than the consensus. At -105, the Over implies a 51.2% chance.

The danger is a blowout. Chicago scored only 92 at Toronto, and a lopsided Boston win with the starters sitting in the fourth quarter is the likeliest way it comes up short. Boston's 107-103 win over New York stayed well under, the Celtics have only played twice, and one projection model has 232.3 total points, just under the number.

PICK #2: Caleb Wilson Over 16.5 Points (-125)

Wilson, the No. 4 pick in the 2026 draft, leads the Bulls at 22.3 points per game. He has started all three games: 16 points in 32 minutes at Toronto, 21 in 33 minutes at Milwaukee and 30 in 38 minutes against Washington, when he went 9-of-11 from the free-throw line. He's cleared 16.5 in two of them.

He's played at least 32 every night, and with Claxton out and Williams yet to play, Chicago's forward minutes run through him. He gets to the line, which keeps his scoring up when the jumper isn't falling, and a fast game against a Boston team that scores in the 120s gives him more possessions to work with. The -125 price implies 55.6%, and in the two games Chicago kept competitive he scored 21 and 30.

His one miss was the Toronto blowout, where he finished with 16, so a lopsided Boston win that sends Chicago's starters to the bench early is the main risk. He's also 4-of-23 from three, which leaves his scoring dependent on drives and free throws.

PICK #3: Jalen Smith Over 10.5 Points (-125)

Smith doesn't need many minutes to get there. He hasn't played more than 24 in any game and has cleared 10.5 every time: 15 in 19 minutes at Toronto, 14 in 24 at Milwaukee and 14 in 24 against Washington. He's started all three at center with Claxton sidelined, and -125 implies 55.6%.

No one is pushing him for those minutes. Zach Collins has played 9 and 11 minutes in his two appearances, and Tobe Awaka played 14 in his only one. Smith also stretches the floor a little, with two threes at Milwaukee and two more against Washington, and a fast game gives a big man more trips and more putbacks.

Three games isn't much to go on, though, and with minutes this low, foul trouble could end his night short of 11. Boston has two centers to throw at him, Robinson starting and Neemias Queta off the bench.

21+ (18+ where permitted). Odds subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.