The Boston Celtics are back on their home court at TD Garden tonight, hosting the Chicago Bulls for what is their third game of the young season. This isn’t just another game, though, this is the first real look at a Bulls squad that’s undergone a massive facelift in the offseason, and Boston has to be ready. The Celtics, sitting at 1-1, are kicking off their first back-to-back set of the season, a true early test of their depth and grit right out of the gate.
Chicago’s Massive Roster Overhaul
Seriously, if you haven’t been paying attention, the Bulls are a completely different team. Gone is Billy Donovan, with Tiago Splitter now at the helm as head coach. This isn’t a minor shake-up, folks. They pulled off trades for Nic Claxton and Buddy Hield, snagged free agent Norman Powell, and brought in 2-way players Tobe Awaka and Jaylin Sellers. Plus, they loaded up on youth with Caleb Wilson, the 4th overall pick, and Dailyn Swain, the 15th pick, joining the squad. Think about that for a second: a new coach, major trades, a key free agent, and two top-15 draft picks. That’s a serious commitment to change.
And they definitely needed it, especially after losing a bunch of key guys like Anfernee Simons, Collin Sexton, Nick Richards, Yuki Kawamura, MacMcClung, Guerschon Yabusele, and Rob Dillingham. It’s a total rebuild vibe coming out of Chicago, and with a 1-2 record to start the season, we’re seeing them figure things out on the fly. Their 3-2 preseason record, with wins against Minnesota, Milwaukee, and Phoenix, showed flashes, but early regular season struggles are to be expected with so many new faces.
Boston’s Back-to-Back Test Starts Now
For the Celtics, this game isn’t just about facing a new opponent, it’s about setting the tone for their own season. This is their second straight home game, and it kicks off the first of 16 back-to-back sets they’ll face this year. Remember last season? Boston was solid in these situations, and with their depth, the hope is they can carry that success forward. Tonight’s starting five features Derrick White, Jordan Walsh, Paul George, Jayson Tatum, and M. These guys know the importance of starting strong, especially at home.
Historically, TD Garden has been a fortress against Chicago. The Celtics hold an impressive 80-40 record against the Bulls in Boston, part of their 139-111 overall lead in the all-time series. Last season, Boston took two of three against Chicago, with both wins coming on their home floor. They also rolled through the preseason with a perfect 4-0 record, handily beating Cleveland, Charlotte, and Philadelphia twice. That kind of momentum can be huge early on, but the regular season is a whole different beast.
After tonight’s clash with the Bulls, the Celtics dive straight into the second half of their back-to-back, hosting the Brooklyn Nets tomorrow night. Then it’s another rematch with Chicago at home on October 30th before hitting the road. This early stretch is absolutely crucial. Can Boston’s depth shine in these demanding back-to-back situations, and how will they adapt to a completely new Chicago squad? That’s what we’re all watching for.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Celtics Blog.
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