The Chicago Bulls play host to the Boston Celtics at United Center on Thursday evening.

The Bulls (26-29) begin the closing stretch of the season with the opportunity to build on their, 15-12, home record. They went into the all-star break after a four-game road trip, and they only picked up one win in their last three home games. DeMar DeRozan leads the team, averaging 22.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game. Coby White averages 19.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists, while Nikola Vucevic is averaging 17.5 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 0.9 blocks per game. The Bulls average 111.8 points per game, which is sixth fewest in the league, but they give up an average of 112.9 points per game. Patrick Williams (foot) will remain sidelined, while Zach LaVine (foot) is out for the season.

Meanwhile, the Celtics (43-12) are set to return to action with the first game of a two-game road trip, hoping to improve on their, 17-9, road record. They won six consecutive games heading into the all-star break and hold on to the first spot in the East. Jayson Tatum leads the team, averaging 27.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.0 steals per game. Jaylen Brown averages 22.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals, while Kristaps Porzingis is averaging 20.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.9 blocks per game. The Celtics average 120.7 points per game, which is fifth most in the league, and they hold opponents to an average of 110.6 points per game, which is fifth fewest in the league.