The Chicago Bulls (6-8) visit the Charlotte Hornets (6-8) at the Spectrum Center Friday for a 7 p.m. ET tip-off. Below, we analyze the Bulls-Hornets NBA odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Chicago has won back-to-back games at the Dallas Mavericks and against the Houston Rockets coming out of a four-game losing streak. The Bulls have been cashing for bettors backing Chicago plus points (8-2 against the spread in their last 10 games).
Quietly the Bulls have played some of the best offense in the Association under first-year head coach Billy Donovan: Chicago is fourth in points per game, seventh in effective field goal percentage and eighth in free throw attempt rate.
Since going on a four-game winning streak to get above .500, the Hornets have lost three straight (2-1 ATS) coming into Friday’s game. The losses came against teams off to a bumpy start (one loss to the Mavericks and back-to-back losses to the Toronto Raptors) but are expected to contend for the playoffs in their respective conferences.
Charlotte’s last game was Jan. 16 since their Jan. 20th scheduled game with the Washington Wizards was postponed due to COVID-19 issues within Washington. Like the Bulls, the Hornets have been a covering machine and are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games.
Before Donovan being hired by Chicago, Charlotte has dominated the Bulls head-to-head in recent seasons: The Hornets are 5-1 straight-up (6-0 ATS) in their last six meetings.
Bulls at Hornets: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:40 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Bulls +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Hornets -150 (bet $150 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Bulls +2.5 (-105) | Hornets -2.5 (-115)
- Over/Under: 228.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Bulls at Hornets: Key Injuries
Bulls
- SF Patrick Williams (hip) probable
- C Wendell Carter (thigh) doubtful
Hornets
- C Cody Zeller (hand) probable
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Bulls at Hornets: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Hornet 118, Bulls 110
Money line (ML)
LEAN HORNETS (-150) only because I’d rather lose the chalk and lay the points. It’s a close one, though, and if you decided to take Charlotte to win outright, I wouldn’t hate it.
Against the spread (ATS)
I’m on HORNETS -2.5 (-115) for 1.5 units, and I gave this pick out on this week’s Bet Slippin’ Podcast, so check that out if you want more analysis. Anywho.
This is more of a working theory than tried and true, but I have more faith in bad offenses being able to score on bad defenses than bad defenses stopping bad offenses in the current NBA. For example, Charlotte is just 21st in offensive rating but ninth in defensive rating while Chicago is 13th in offensive rating and 26th in defensive rating.
The Hornets’ defensive intensity can translate easier over to this game because defense relies predominantly on effort whereas teams have off nights offensively for a bevy of reasons. Including because of good defense, which Charlotte does well.
Finally, this could be a look-ahead spot for the Bulls who are hosting the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics in the next two games.
Over/Under (O/U)
BetMGM is sharp with this total. I was hoping to get a Hornets-Bulls total of around 225, but I can work with this price. As much as Charlotte would probably not want to get into a shootout with Chicago, it’s probably going to happen.
But you see my prediction above and it’s hovering around the projected total so I only LEAN OVER 228.5 (-110) for a tiny wager.
Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Also see:
- Terry Rozier praises LaMelo Ball’s mindset, calls him spark for Charlotte Hornets (Lonzo Wire)
- Hoops Hype Rumors: Bulls | Hornets
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