This early in the season it's an advantage to already have played a game. That's the case here where the Celtics dispatched the Nets last night. Chicago is making its season debut.

The Celtics had a game to get out kinks, get acquainted with Al Horford and establish rotation. Isaiah Thomas was in great form with 25 points and nine assists as the Celtics looked good in building up a 23-point fourth quarter lead against the Nets. But the Celtics had to bring their starters back on the court with two minutes left to hang on a for a 122-117 victory.

I'm not worried about Boston's bench. The Celtics have excellent depth. Rookie Jaylen Brown displayed flashes that he's going to be a contributor, too, scoring nine points on 3-of-4 shooting.

No team has been better than Boston in covering the spread when playing without rest. The Celtics are 40-17-1 ATS in the second of back-to-back games.

The Bulls have a lot of new faces. Gone are Derrick Rose, Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah. In are Dwayne Wade, Rajon Rondo and Robin Lopez. It's going to take a while for Wade, Rondo and Jimmy Butler to get acclimated to one another. There's only one basketball after all.

Boston is the better team with the superior coach. They should beat the Bulls here.