Celtics vs. Bulls prediction: NBA odds, picks, best bets for Thursday

The NBA is back from the All-Star break with a healthy 12-game card Thursday night.

One of the highlight games takes place at the United Center between the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls.

Let’s take a closer look at the Celtics vs. Bulls matchup Thursday night, and consider a fade of the heavy favorites.

Celtics vs. Bulls odds

• Spread: Celtics -9.5 (-105), Bulls +9.5 (-115)
• Total: Over 224.5 (-105), Under 224.5 (-115)
• Moneyline: Celtics -375, Bulls +300

Odds via BetMGM

Celtics vs. Bulls prediction

The Celtics continue to own the best record in the NBA at 43-12, while being the favorite (consensus +260) to win the championship in June.

Meanwhile, the Bulls (26-29) — if the season ended today — would be in the NBA’s play-in tournament for a second straight season, sitting ninth in a crowded Eastern Conference.

Chicago closed the first half winning three of its final five games, capped off by a 108-105 loss to the red-hot Cleveland Cavaliers. However, the Bulls have covered the spread in four of their last five games, including three times as an underdog during this stretch.

In the last matchup between these teams in late November, the Celtics crushed the Bulls, 124-97, as 12.5-point home favorites. Jaylen Brown led Boston with 30 points, hitting three of the Celtics’ 21 3-pointers in the game.

Bulls guard Coby White, a candidate for Most Improved Player honors (+380, FanDuel), is putting together a career season, with averages of 19.6 points, 5.3 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game. The former University of North Carolina standout has stepped up of late, averaging 25.7 points over the Bulls’ last seven games.

Celtics vs. Bulls pick

Since Dec. 20, Chicago has been listed as a home underdog four times, posting a 3-1 mark against the spread. And while the Celtics are cruising atop the Atlantic Division with six straight outright victories, they have covered the spread only twice in their past 10 games.

Let’s take the points with the Bulls at home against the Celtics.

• Pick: Bulls +9.5 (-115, BetMGM)