The United Center will play host to Saturday's meeting between the Chicago Bulls and the Boston Celtics as the teams go head-to-head in the latest round of NBA regular-season matches.
The hosts will be keen to enjoy home comfort on their return to familiar terrain off the back of a defeat to the Orlando Magic, while the visitors go in search of win number seven on the bounce.
Match preview
As expected, the Boston Celtics have been one of the most dominant teams in the NBA this term as they look to claim consecutive championships off the back of a record 18th Larry O'Brien trophy last time out.
Second only to the Cleveland Cavaliers (17-1), Joe Mazzulla's men have flown of the blocks with 15 wins from their 18 matches, including a win over the aforementioned Cavaliers, leaving them as the only side to have gotten the better of the Eastern Conference leaders so far.
Last time out, the Celtics made light work of the challenge posed by the Los Angeles Clippers, claiming an emphatic 126-94 triumph at TD Garden on Tuesday morning in the second of a two-game home stretch.
Equalling an NBA record for the most three-pointers made in a quarter (12), the defending champions ran their opponents ragged in the first half to go into the interval with a commanding 29-point advantage which laid the foundation for a routine win.
Saturday's visitors will now set out to lay down another statement of intent when they face off against a Bulls side who have struggled in this fixture of late having lost the last four editions, giving up over 120 points in each of the most recent three clashes.
Just over 24 hours after their commanding 127-108 victory against the Washington Wizards, the Chicago Bulls were back in action against the Orlando Magic on Thursday when they suffered a 133-119 defeat at the Amway Center.
A slow start to proceedings at both ends of the court saw Billy Donovan's men head into the locker room trailing 73-54, and despite a mini revival in the second half, the Bulls just could not get themselves back into the game.
Having split their last six games evenly into three wins and three defeats apiece, the Bulls have blown hot and cold and will be looking to string together a decent run of results to improve their standings in the Eastern Conference.
To do that, Donovan's side must first tighten things up at the defensive end, having allowed more points per game (123.6) than any other team in the NBA so far, largely undermining their offensive output (117.9), which ranks fifth in the division.
Chicago Bulls NBA form:
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Boston Celtics NBA form:
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Team News
Dalen Terry could not complete his side's clash against the Magic last time out due to an ankle injury and is consequently a huge doubt to feature on Saturday.
Jalen Smith did not play any part in the aforementioned game through an ankle problem, but the 24-year-old is drawing increasingly closer to making his comeback.
Adama Sanogo (knee) and Patrick Williams (foot) wrap up the list of current Bulls absentees, although there is a chance that Williams will be back in time to suit up for Saturday's clash.
As for the Celtics, it is as you were against the Los Angeles Clippers last time out with only Al Horford (illness) and Luke Kornet (hamstring) currently available.
Kristaps Porzingis recently made his season debut after recovering from an ankle problem, and the Latvian could see his minutes managed once again here.
Chicago Bulls possible starting five:
White, Dosunmu; LaVine, Giddey; Vucevic
Boston Celtics possible starting five:
Holiday, White; Brown, Tatum; Porzingis
We say: Celtics to win by 9+ points
With the return of Porzingis, an already formidable Celtics side now have their best starting five available, which represents bad news for the rest of the league.
We fully expect the defending champions to cruise to a routine win when all is said and done here.
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