The Chicago Bulls (2-2) welcome the Indiana Pacers (1-3) to United Center Wednesday. Tip is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Pacers vs. Bulls odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Bulls come into this game following a 120-102 win over the Boston Celtics Monday. In covering as 5-point underdogs they handed the Finals-making Celtics their 1st loss of the season. Chicago at home to the Cavaliers 128-96 Saturday in its previous game.
Chicago is led by F DeMar DeRozan and his 26.8 points per game on 53.5% shooting from the field. G Zach LaVine sits second in the team, averaging 21 points per game.
The Pacers lost 120-106 at the Philadelphia 76ers in their last outing Monday, failing to cover as 12-point underdogs. The Pacers beat the Detroit Pistons at home 124-115 in the game prior on Saturday.
Indiana is led by G Tyrese Haliburton, who is averaging 24 points per game and is shooting 52.4% from the field. Rookie G Bennedict Mathurin is shooting 48.4% from the field and averaging 22.3 points per game.
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Pacers at Bulls odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:40 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Pacers +260 (bet $100 to win $260) | Bulls -340 (bet $340 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Pacers +7.5 (-117) | Bulls -7.5 (-103)
- Over/Under (O/U): 232.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Pacers at Bulls key injuries
Pacers
- C Myles Turner (ankle) questionable
Bulls
- G Lonzo Ball (knee) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Pacers at Bulls picks and predictions
Prediction
Bulls 118, Pacers 109
Moneyline
PASS.
The Bulls (-340), at home, against a struggling Pacers team seems like a home-run play, but the risk outweighs the reward.
Against the spread
BET BULLS -7.5 (-103).
Chicago is simply the more versatile team. It also has defensive-minded guards like G Alex Caruso who should be able to slow down the effectiveness of Haliburton.
Turner should continue to be sidelined which means C Nikola Vucevic should get easier opportunities on the paint. Even if he does play, I would expected limited minutes.
The Bulls are starting to find their rhythm as well with LaVine getting to full strength after missing the season opener against Miami. Indiana is 0-1 ATS as a road underdog.
Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 232.5 (-110).
Both teams rank in the top 10 in turnover rate, so this should be a clean game. Both teams also rank in the bottom 10 in true shooting percentage.
The mixture of poor shooting and no turnovers should create a slow game, and with a relatively high total, I’d play the UNDER 232.5 (-110) here.
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