The Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards close their two-game series on New Year’s Eve, and if you’re looking to do some last-minute betting research, you’re in luck! We’ll give you the latest point spread, moneyline odds and over-under number, as well as the information you’ll need to make the smartest bet on BetMGM.
The game tips off at 5 p.m. ET and can be seen on NBC Sports Chicago and NBC Sports Washington.
The Wizards (0-4) haven’t won a game this season, but are the betting favorites on Thursday in a rematch with the Bulls (1-3). Chicago beat Washington on Tuesday 115-107, but the Wizards have been competitive in each of their four losses, losing by a maximum of 10 points.
(Update: Lauri Markkanen, Ryan Arcidiacono, Tomas Satoransky and Chandler Hutchison are all out for Chicago.)
The lines, courtesy of BetMGM
- Point spread: Wizards -6.5
- Money line: Wizards -275 / Bulls +220
- Over-under: 236.5
Place your legal, online sports bets in CO, IN, MI, NV, NJ, PA, TN and WV at BetMGM.
Advice and prediction
This is a matchup of two of the NBA’s bottom-tier defenses (the Bulls and Wizards are 19th and 20th in defensive rating, respectively). Their first matchup was surprisingly low-scoring thanks to an overall poor shooting night: The Wizards hit just 27 percent of their 37 shots from beyond the arc. Both teams started to find their offensive rhythm in the second half, and I wouldn’t expect the Wizards to be held to 46 points in a half again. Still, 236.5 points is a lot of points, and one cold stretch could tank your chances. Take the under 236.5.
We’ve also seen this season just how difficult it is for anyone to beat a team two games in a row, and I like the Wizards to bounce back and get into the win column on Thursday. I’ll take Bradley Beal to have a huge scoring night, Davis Bertans to continue to gradually work his way back into the offense, and the Wizards to cover -6.5.
Prediction: Wizards 119, Bulls 110
Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.
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