Bulls-Celtics Lines Preview

The Chicago Bulls and the Boston Celtics will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at TD Banknorth Garden in the opening game of their first-round playoff series. Oddsmakers currently have the Celtics listed as 8½-point favorites versus the Bulls, while the game's total has not yet been posted. The Bulls were defeated 109-98 by the Raptors in their regular-season finale last time out. The Bulls were 10-point underdogs in that game, while the 207 points fell UNDER the posted total of 214.5. Derrick Rose collected 20 points with six rebounds and 11 assists. Glen Davis scored 21 points off the bench on Wednesday night as the Celtics picked up a 115-107 win over the Wizards in their regular-season finale. The Celtics managed to cover the 4.5-point spread at home in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the day's posted total (190.5). Team records: Chicago: 41-41 SU, 42-39-1 ATS Boston: 62-20 SU, 43-39 ATS Chicago most recently: When playing on Saturday are 4-6 Before playing Boston are 10-0 After playing Toronto are 4-6 After a loss are 6-4 Boston most recently: When playing on Saturday are 8-2 Before playing Chicago are 6-4 After playing Washington are 6-4 After a win are 8-2 A few trends to consider: Chicago is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games on the road The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chicago's last 7 games The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago's last 7 games when playing on the road against Boston Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 5 games at home Boston is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games Boston is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Chicago Next up: Chicago at Boston, Monday, April 20 Boston home to Chicago, Monday, April 20