Two beasts of the East clash Saturday when the Philadelphia 76ers (7-2) visit the “Windy City” to play the Chicago Bulls (6-2). Tip-off from the United Center is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the 76ers vs. Bulls odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions, and bets.
Philly held off Chicago in its 103-98 victory Wednesday and covered as 2.5-point home favorites. The Under cashed on the 216-point total.
Sixers guard Seth Curry scored a team-high 22 points on 9-of-14 shooting and Joel Embiid put up just 18 points on 6-of-18 shooting and 9 boards.
Bulls wing DeMar DeRozan led Chicago with 37 points and 10 rebounds while guard Zach LaVine added 27 points and 9 rebounds.
Philly has won five straight games and is 6-3 ATS and 2-6-1 O/U. Chicago is 6-2 ATS and 3-5 O/U.
76ers at Bulls odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:10 p.m. ET.
- Money line: 76ers +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Bulls -180 (bet $180 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): 76ers +4.5 (-120) | Bulls -4.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 214.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
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76ers at Bulls key injuries
76ers
- SG Danny Green (hamstring) questionable
- SG Furkan Korkmaz (wrist) questionable
- SF Tobias Harris (health and safety protocols) out
- SF Matisse Thybulle (health and safety protocols) out
- PG Ben Simmons (personal) out
Bulls
- PF Patrick Williams (wrist) out
76ers at Bulls odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Bulls 108, 76ers 101
Money line
PASS even though I’m fairly confident Chicago wins this game outright because the Bulls (-180) is just too expensive for an NBA regular-season favorite. Also, Philly has beaten Chicago in eight consecutive meetings.
Against the spread
We have no choice but to BET the BULLS -4.5 (-105) based on Philly’s injury report. The Sixers may be without three wing defenders which is a huge problem when trying to guard DeRozan and LaVine.
In fact, Thybulle is probably the best wing defender in the NBA and both DeRozan and LaVine balled in the 76ers-Bulls meeting on Wednesday.
Furthermore, there’s been a “sharp line move” towards Chicago who opened as 3-point favorites but has been steamed up to the current number.
I’m a little skittish about following a crowd with the Bulls -4.5 (-105). But, if any other Bull stepped up to help DeRozan and LaVine Wednesday then Chicago would’ve rolled Philly.
Over/Under
BET the UNDER 214.5 (-107) as a fade against a market that’s hammering the Over and has caused oddsmakers to move the 76ers-Bulls total up from the 210.5-point opener.
Also, both teams play at a below-average pace with Philly playing at the slowest tempo. Each offense ranks in the bottom-10 for 3-point attempts per game and both defenses are top-5 in 3-point attempts allowed per game.
There’s going to be a lot of slow-paced, halfcourt offense and the market is overreacting to Philly’s injuries. I agree Chicago has an edge as the much healthier side but I still see 76ers-Bulls staying UNDER 214.5 (-107).
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