Chicago Bulls at Boston Celtics | Monday, October 26, 2026 | 7:30 PM ET / 6:30 PM CT | TD Garden, Boston | NBC Sports Boston, CHSN
I picked the Bucks to beat us on Friday, 120-112. The Bulls won 132-125 instead, for Tiago Splitter’s first win as head coach. Then on Saturday I watched us lead by 10, go into the half up 62-57 and get outscored 40-20 in the third quarter in a 124-120 loss to Washington. That is a perfectly Bulls way to start a season: one night you’re thrilled, the next you’re staring at a box score wondering what happened.
Now we’re in Boston, on a Monday night, against a Celtics team with a new look and a franchise player who has something to prove.
Game Info: Bulls at Celtics
- Date: Monday, October 26, 2026
- Tip-off: 7:30 PM ET / 6:30 PM CT (per FanDuel’s schedule page; it lists Eastern time only, so the Central conversion is mine)
- Venue: TD Garden, Boston
- TV: NBC Sports Boston and PCK-BOS in Boston; CHSN and the CHSN app for Bulls fans
- Records: Bulls 1-2; Celtics 1-1
- Odds: I couldn’t find a current sportsbook line. One preview projected Celtics 118, Bulls 107, with the total under 232.5
The Bulls: Two Games That Say Opposite Things
Friday in Milwaukee (W 132-125). Chicago trailed by 15, then a 16-0 bench run turned a 51-39 deficit into a 55-51 lead. Norman Powell scored 25, Caleb Wilson had 21 points and 6 rebounds, and Leonard Miller added 19 off the bench. Tre Jones finished with 11 points, 8 assists and no turnovers in 24 minutes, and he was a game-high +24. Josh Giddey had nine assists but was -15 and out for the finish. The Bulls made 28 of 30 free throws and had 62 points in the paint.
Saturday vs. Washington (L 124-120). Wilson scored 30 with 14 rebounds, his first double-double as the No. 4 pick, but went 1-for-9 from three. Trae Young had 25 points and 9 assists, and the Wizards ran away in a 40-point third quarter. Giddey had 10 assists in a game where Chicago trailed by 21.
The pattern is the shooting. Chicago is hitting 22.6% from three through three games, last in the league, on 41.3 attempts per game. It went 12-for-43 against Washington and 12-for-45 in Milwaukee, and it won one of those games because of free throws and the paint. The defense has been just as shaky: the Bulls allow 128.0 points per game, second-worst in the league behind Milwaukee, per The Sports Leader.
- Injuries: Nic Claxton (hamstring) is out. Patrick Williams (groin) and Noa Essengue (head contusion) sat out against Washington, and I couldn’t confirm their status for Monday. Check the final report.
The Celtics: Tatum Is the Story
The Celtics lost their opener at Detroit after blowing a 22-point lead, with Jayson Tatum going 6-for-23. On Friday they beat the Knicks 107-103 in their home opener, and Tatum scored 36 with 9 rebounds and 7 assists, including a big second-half surge.
The context matters: Jaylen Brown was traded to Philadelphia on July 1, and the Boston Globe reports Tatum and Brown have been trading public shots this week. Tatum is the Celtics’ remaining star, and Joe Mazzulla’s team leans on him.
- Neemias Queta had 15 points, six rebounds and three blocks off the bench against New York.
- Jordan Walsh held Jalen Brunson to 19 points on 7-of-17 shooting.
- Injuries: Devin Carter is listed out with illness, per Sports Mole. I found no other injuries reported.
- History: Boston has won nine of the last 11 meetings, per The Sports Leader.
The Matchups That Matter
Chicago’s perimeter shooting against the law of averages. A team doesn’t shoot 23% forever. The Bulls are getting open looks, since they attempt more than 41 threes a game, but the misses are costing them when the defense also gives up 128 a night.
Wilson against Boston’s frontcourt. He’s the best story of the year so far, with 30 and 14 on Saturday. Queta blocked three shots off Boston’s bench on Friday, so the paint won’t be as open as it was in Milwaukee.
Tatum against whoever Splitter puts on him. Tatum has had a 6-for-23 night and a 36-point night in the same week. The Bulls need to keep him out of rhythm without fouling.
The Bulls’ bench. The 16-0 run in Milwaukee came from the second unit. Jones, Miller and Hield were all productive, and Splitter’s willingness to play whoever is winning the floor is the best thing this team has going.
Third quarters. Washington’s 40-point third quarter was the game. If Chicago comes out flat after halftime in a hostile arena, Boston can do the same thing.
What Actually Decides It
The Celtics are the better team, they’re at home and the Bulls are second-worst in the league in points allowed. Tatum just scored 36 and is the clear focal point. I don’t see Chicago stopping him for 48 minutes.
The way we make it close is simple: Wilson stays aggressive, the bench keeps winning minutes and a few threes finally fall. I believe in the first two and I’m waiting on the third. I’ll take the Celtics comfortably, with the Bulls making a run late.
My Final Score Prediction: Boston Celtics 118, Chicago Bulls 109
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