The Boston Celtics have a fascinating matchup waiting for them Monday: a Chicago Bulls team that has struggled badly from beyond the arc to start the season. The Bulls are making just 22.6% of their three-point attempts through three games, the lowest mark in the NBA. They are putting up plenty of shots, too, averaging 41.3 attempts from deep per game.

Chicago’s latest loss showed how quickly that problem can take over a game. The Bulls fell 124-120 to Washington on Saturday, going 12-for-43 from three. Rookie Caleb Wilson delivered a huge performance with 30 points and 14 rebounds, but made only one of his nine attempts from long range.

That contrast makes this a more interesting Celtics matchup than a simple “hot team versus cold team” setup. Chicago can score, and Wilson has already shown he can put pressure on a defense. The question is whether the Bulls can punish Boston if the Celtics make them rely on outside shooting to keep pace.

Boston Can Make Every Possession A Choice

The Celtics have reason to be confident after responding to their season-opening loss with a 107-103 win over the Knicks. Jayson Tatum led Boston with 36 points, while Neemias Queta added 15 points and three blocks. Boston also got useful defensive work from Jordan Walsh, who helped limit Jalen Brunson to 19 points.

Caleb Wilson introduced himself to the United Center in a BIG way 🔥 🏀 30 PTS 🏀 14 REB 🏀 3 AST 🏀 2 STL 🏀 1 BLK 🏀 5 dunks https://t.co/GVsoc52WYq

— Bulls on CHSN (@CHSN_Bulls) October 25, 2026

Monday offers a different kind of challenge. Boston can test whether Chicago’s poor shooting is a short-term slump or a real vulnerability by contesting the perimeter, closing out under control and making the Bulls find other ways to create offense. If the Celtics overreact to every miss and give up driving lanes, Chicago could turn the game into a physical battle around the basket.

The Bulls have managed to score despite the cold shooting, averaging 128 points allowed per game through their first three contests. That leaves them with pressure on both ends: they need to make more shots while also finding stops against a Boston team that just showed it can lean on Tatum late in a close game.

MORE: Jayson Tatum-Jaylen Brown ‘Beef’ Timeline: Icy Warmups, Cap Emoji and Lamb Chops

A Shooting Stat With A Quick Answer

The early-season numbers are still based on a tiny sample, so Monday won’t settle the Bulls’ shooting questions for the year. But it can show whether Boston is prepared to exploit the problem. If Chicago’s shooters get comfortable, the Celtics may be in for a long night. If Boston keeps forcing difficult looks, the Garden crowd could watch the Bulls’ biggest weakness become the story of the game.

That is what makes this matchup worth watching: Chicago’s offense has already flashed, but the three-point line has been a cold place to work. Boston gets the next chance to see whether the Bulls can warm up in a hurry.

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