Celtics-Bulls Odds Preview

The Boston Celtics and the Chicago Bulls will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at United Center in the third game of their first-round playoff series. Oddsmakers currently have the Bulls listed as 2½-point favorites versus the Celtics, while the game's total has not yet been posted. Ray Allen's three-pointer with two seconds on the clock lifted the Celtics past the Bulls 118-115 to even their series at one game apiece on Monday night. Boston couldn't cover as 8.5-point home favorites as the game played over the 196-point total posted by oddsmakers. Allen finished with 30 points for the Celtics, who got 26 points and nine rebounds from Glen Davis in the win. Ben Gordon dropped 42 points for Chicago, while John Salmons netted 17 points for the Bulls. Team records: Boston: 62-20 SU, 43-39 ATS Chicago: 41-41 SU, 42-39-1 ATS Boston most recently: When playing on Thursday are 7-3 Before playing Chicago are 6-4 After playing Chicago are 8-2 After a win are 7-3 Chicago most recently: When playing on Thursday are 6-4 Before playing Boston are 9-1 After playing Boston are 7-3 After a loss are 6-4 A few trends to consider: The total has gone OVER in 8 of Boston's last 9 games Boston is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road Boston is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games when playing Chicago Chicago is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games when playing Boston Chicago is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games Chicago is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games when playing at home against Boston Next up: Boston at Chicago, Sunday, April 26 Chicago home to Boston, Sunday, April 26