Chicago Bulls at Boston Celtics: Odds and Betting Preview
The Boston Celtics open their 2024-25 NBA season as massive favorites when they host the Chicago Bulls on Friday, October 30, with tip-off set at 4:40 PM PDT. Boston is coming off a championship run, and the early odds reflect how far above the field oddsmakers believe they are. This matchup gives bettors an early look at how the market values the defending champs against a Bulls team facing a steep climb in the Eastern Conference.
What the Odds Tell Us for Celtics vs. Bulls
The Celtics are prohibitive moneyline favorites across every book posting this game, but a significant gap between the two available lines is worth noting.
Moneyline comparison:
| Book | Celtics | Bulls |
|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | -588 | +425 |
| 1xBet | -1111 | +470 |
At DraftKings, Boston is listed at -588, implying roughly an 85.5% win probability. At 1xBet, the Celtics sit at -1111, implying closer to 91.7%. That is a substantial gap for the same game and creates a clear line-shopping opportunity.
In dollar terms: a -588 favorite requires you to risk $588 to profit $100, while -1111 requires $1,111 for that same $100 profit. The Bulls sit at +425 on DraftKings and +470 on 1xBet. Note that the Bulls' moneyline is actually better at 1xBet despite the Celtics being priced much shorter there, which signals the two books are pricing this game very differently. You can use the Odds Converter to break any of these figures into implied probability or decimal format.
Spread and Total
Both books agree on the spread, posting Boston at -11.5. A double-digit spread signals a meaningful talent gap, not just a home-court advantage. The Celtics won the title last season on elite depth and one of the best offenses the league has seen in years, and the market is pricing them to win comfortably.
Spread comparison:
| Book | Celtics | Bulls |
|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | -11.5 (-110) | +11.5 (-110) |
| 1xBet | -11.5 (-120) | +11.5 (-120) |
DraftKings offers standard -110 juice on both sides. 1xBet charges -120 on both sides of the spread and the total, which reduces your payout on every bet. If you are playing the spread or total, DraftKings is the better book for this game.
The total sits at 232.5 on both books, on the higher end for an early-season contest. Boston's offensive firepower is the primary driver of that number.
Notable Line Differences
The moneyline gap between DraftKings and 1xBet is the biggest line-shopping story here. A difference of more than 500 cents on the Celtics' moneyline is not normal. Bettors who want Boston on the moneyline should use DraftKings at -588 rather than paying -1111 at 1xBet. The implied probability difference is too large to ignore.
If the spread between books interests you from an arbitrage standpoint, the Arbitrage Calculator can help you determine whether a two-sided play is viable given the margins.
What to Watch Before Tip-Off
This game is 28 days out, leaving plenty of room for the line to move. Key factors to monitor:
Roster and injury news. Any indication that Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, or Kristaps Porzingis will be limited or rested could tighten the spread quickly. Positive injury news on the Bulls side could also shift the line.
Preseason performance. Training camp and preseason results will give bettors more information before opening week. A standout performance from a Bulls player could attract early money on Chicago.
Early-season market behavior. Oddsmakers sometimes shade lines heavily toward championship teams before the market has real data. Sharp money may push back on -11.5 if Chicago shows signs of competitiveness.
Line movement. You can track how this line moves through tip-off on the NBA odds page at Line Whale to see if the market adjusts before game day.
The market strongly favors Boston in every format. The spread and total are consistent across books, but the moneyline discrepancy is the most actionable information available for bettors right now.