Boston beat Chicago 134-99 at TD Garden on Monday. The two meet in the same building on Friday, this time in an East Group C game in the NBA Cup.
The Celtics are 3-0 at home. The Bulls have lost three straight and have given up 130.2 points a game. That is the worst defensive record in the league, and the Bulls vs Celtics game starts with that problem.
How to watch Bulls vs Celtics in Canada
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Game | Chicago Bulls at Boston Celtics |
| Date | Friday 30 October 2026 |
| Tip-off | 7:30pm ET |
| Venue | TD Garden, Boston |
| Records | Chicago 1-4, Boston 3-1 |
| Rest | Chicago with 1 day off, Boston with 2 days off |
TSN carries this one in Canada. For League Pass and other ways to watch, see our how to watch the NBA in Canada page.
Bulls vs Celtics odds
Canadian books were still to open this market when the page went up. Lines usually appear within a day of tip-off and move with each injury update. Who operates in which province is on our NBA betting page.
Boston’s stars are scoring
Jayson Tatum scored 36 against the Knicks and 40 in Tuesday’s overtime win over Brooklyn. Paul George, who came from Philadelphia in the Jaylen Brown trade, had 38 in the opener in Detroit. Payton Pritchard led them with 28 against Chicago.
Devin Carter is out with mononucleosis. Boston has had two days off.
Boston’s only loss came in the opener in Detroit. Since then the Celtics have won three straight at home, including Tuesday’s overtime game against Brooklyn by a single point. Monday was the easy one.
How they compare
| 2025-26 | Chicago Bulls | Boston Celtics |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 31-51 | 56-26 |
| Net rating | -5.0 | +7.9 |
| Offensive rating | 111.3 | 117.9 |
| Defensive rating | 116.3 | 110.0 |
| Pace | 104.5 | 97.5 |
| Three-point % | 35.6% | 36.7% |
Rates from last season. Boston was 12.9 points per 100 possessions better, the widest gap of any game we preview on Friday.
Chicago scores, then lets everyone else score
The Bulls have passed 120 three times and lost two of those games. Norman Powell scored 30 against the Knicks on Wednesday, and Caleb Wilson averages more than 20. Josh Giddey had 11 assists.
Chicago has allowed at least 124 points in all four of its defeats, and even its one win, in Milwaukee, came after giving up 125.
Leonard Miller, the Canadian forward, scored 10 off the bench. Nic Claxton is out with a hamstring injury, and Patrick Williams missed Wednesday.
Boston has won three of the last four
| Date | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 26 Oct 2026 | Boston 134-99 | TD Garden |
| 11 Feb 2026 | Boston 124-105 | TD Garden |
| 24 Jan 2026 | Chicago 114-111 | United Center |
| 5 Jan 2026 | Boston 115-101 | TD Garden |
Chicago’s only win came at home in January, by three points.
Recent form
Team news
| Club | Player | Status | Latest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | Nic Claxton | Out, hamstring | Re-evaluation in two weeks, reported on 26 Oct |
| Chicago | Patrick Williams | Out, groin | No timetable |
| Chicago | Tobe Awaka | Day to day, ankle | See the official report before tip-off |
| Boston | Devin Carter | Out, illness | No timetable |
Williams and Tobe Awaka both missed Wednesday. The official NBA injury report will say whether either is back.
League-wide statuses live on our NBA injury report.
Probable starting fives
Players to watch
Jayson Tatum, Boston. Seventy-six points in his last two games.
Norman Powell, Chicago. Twenty or more in four of five games, and the Bulls’ most reliable scorer.
Score prediction
Celtics 121-106 Bulls. Last season’s ratings and home court make Boston about a 15-point favourite. Monday’s 35-point win doesn’t move us further, because big margins rarely repeat.
Bulls vs Celtics prediction
Chicago’s defence is the problem the Bulls haven’t solved. Boston has more scorers and has rested.
Our pick: Boston to win, the Celtics at -12.5 or shorter. No total pick. Chicago’s games average 244 points, but Boston plays at one of the slowest paces in the league.
For the rest of Friday’s Cup Night, see the NBA games tonight board.
Tip-off is 7:30pm ET on Friday 30 October 2026 at TD Garden, Boston.
TSN carries the game in Canada, with streaming on TSN+.
Boston won 134-99 at TD Garden on Monday 26 October.
Yes. Both clubs are in East Group C.
Celtics 121-106. We back Boston to win, at -12.5 or shorter.
19+ (18+ in AB, MB and QC). Picks are opinion, not advice, and odds change constantly. Availability varies by province. Please play responsibly. ConnexOntario: 1-866-531-2600 for Ontario residents; see your province’s helpline for resources elsewhere.