Celtics And Bulls Face Off In High-Stakes Eastern Showdown

The stage was set at Chicago’s United Center on January 24, 2026, as the Boston Celtics rolled into town looking to keep their own streak alive and further cement their spot near the top of the Eastern Conference. The Chicago Bulls, riding high on a three-game winning run and sitting at a dead-even 22-22, were eager to flip the script against a Celtics squad that’s had their number for years. With tip-off at 8 p.m. EST, the air was thick with anticipation—and a hint of desperation—from two teams each with something to prove.

Let’s be honest: the Bulls’ recent record against Boston is nothing short of grim. Over the past three years, Chicago has managed just one win in eight tries, including a stinging 115–101 loss earlier this month. That defeat, however, came with an asterisk. Neither Josh Giddey nor Coby White suited up for the Bulls that night, both sidelined by nagging injuries. Fast forward three weeks, and both guards were back in the lineup, giving Chicago a much-needed boost in the backcourt. Giddey, averaging 19.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 8.9 assists per game, brings a dynamic presence, while White chips in a steady 18.7 points per contest.

But as is often the case in the grueling NBA season, the Bulls’ injury woes were far from over. Standout reserve point guard Tre Jones was diagnosed with a left hamstring strain and expected to miss at least two weeks, joining Zach Collins (out since December 27 with a right toe sprain) and Noa Essengue (shoulder surgery) on the shelf. Collins, who hasn’t played a minute in 2026, is projected to return after the All-Star break. The Celtics, meanwhile, were missing reserve forward Josh Minott (ankle sprain) and All-Star Jayson Tatum (Achilles repair), but otherwise rolled in nearly at full strength. Jaylen Brown, Boston’s four-time All-Star and offensive lynchpin, was listed as probable with left hamstring tightness, but with only three missed games all season, he was widely expected to suit up.

Boston entered the night as the slight favorite, with the line set at -3.5 and moneyline odds of -155, while the over/under for total points hovered around 233.5. The Celtics boasted a 28-16 record, good for a top spot in the East, and had gone 6-4 in their last ten games. Their defensive numbers were especially impressive: Boston allowed just 110.2 points per game, ranking third in the NBA, while their offense hummed along at 117.1 points per contest. Jaylen Brown led the charge with averages of 29.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.9 assists, shooting a crisp 48.3% from the field and 36.6% from deep. Derrick White and Payton Pritchard provided steady support, and Neemias Queta—probable despite a recent illness—continued to make his mark as a high-efficiency big man, shooting 65.7% from the floor.

On the other side, the Bulls’ formula for success was clear: push the pace and crash the glass. Chicago ranked fourth in tempo and eighth in rebounds (45.3 per game), but their Achilles’ heel has been defense, surrendering 119.9 points per game—26th in the league. Nikola Vucevic, the veteran center, remained a focal point. He averaged 16.8 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in 30.7 minutes per night, his lowest workload in a decade but still a force when called upon. Vucevic has a history of dominating the Celtics on the boards, having topped 8.5 rebounds in each of his last five meetings with Boston, including a monster 15-rebound performance earlier this month. “He should see plenty of minutes tonight as the Bulls seek a much-needed statement victory,” Keagan Smith noted for DraftKings Sportsbook, adding, “He should get to nine rebounds tonight and keep that streak alive.”

But perhaps the most intriguing subplot was the emergence of Sam Hauser. The Celtics’ sharpshooter had been on a tear, scoring 16 or more points in five straight games prior to this matchup, including a jaw-dropping 30-point outburst on January 17, when he launched 21 three-pointers. That’s no typo: Hauser’s shot diet is almost exclusively from beyond the arc, and he’s been canning them at a 40.6% clip, hitting at least three triples in five consecutive games. With Chicago’s defense allowing nearly 120 points per night, the opportunity was ripe for Hauser to keep his hot streak alive. “He’s clearly hot from deep right now and already makes 40.6% of those tries, so I like him to take advantage of a poor defense as we go over on the points prop here,” Smith observed.

Coaching decisions also factored into the night’s drama. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla had settled on Hauser as his preferred starting wing alongside Jaylen Brown, a move that’s paid dividends in terms of floor spacing and consistent scoring. The Bulls, for their part, had to juggle minutes with their depleted guard rotation, relying more heavily on Giddey and White while hoping their bench could withstand Boston’s depth.

Statistically, the matchup promised fireworks. The Bulls’ offense ranked seventh in the league at 118 points per game, while Boston’s defense was among the stingiest. Chicago’s games had gone over the 233.5 total in 27 of 44 contests, and the Celtics had hit the over in 19 of 44. Both teams averaged more points combined than the set total, hinting at a potential shootout. Boston had also thrived as a favorite, winning 21 of 30 games in that role, while Chicago had covered the spread in 13 of 19 games as a three-point or greater underdog.

With both teams coming in with something to prove—the Bulls aiming to snap a Celtics hex and extend their win streak, and Boston looking to keep pace atop the conference—a sense of urgency permeated the United Center. Would the Bulls finally break through against their nemesis, or would Boston’s balanced attack and defensive discipline prevail once again? The answer, as the action unfolded, was far from certain.

As the game tipped off, all eyes were on the stars: Jaylen Brown pushing through injury, Vucevic battling on the boards, and Hauser ready to let it fly from deep. The Celtics’ recent dominance over Chicago loomed large, but the Bulls’ home crowd brought the energy, hoping to witness a statement win that could reshape their season’s trajectory. With both teams nearly at full strength and the stakes rising in the Eastern Conference, this clash promised to deliver high drama and plenty of talking points—no matter which way the final buzzer sounded.