The Chicago Bulls (26-28) and Brooklyn Nets (32-22) meet Thursday at Barclays Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Bulls vs. Nets odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Bulls failed to cover the spread as 9.5-point underdogs Tuesday in a 104-89 loss at the Memphis Grizzlies. C Nikola Vucevic finished with 28 points and a game-high 17 rebounds as F DeMar DeRozan sat out with hip soreness. Chicago is 4-1 against the spread (ATS) vs. Brooklyn in the last 5 meetings.
Before reportedly trading F Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns Thursday, the Nets failed to cover as 7-point home underdogs Tuesday in a 116-112 loss vs. Phoenix. G Cam Thomas finished with 43 points and became the youngest player in NBA history to score 40 or more in 3 consecutive games. Brooklyn has covered in 5-straight home games.
This is the 3rd meeting this season between the Bulls and Nets. The Bulls covered as 2-point road underdogs in a 108-99 win Nov. 1 and as 5-point home underdogs in a 121-112 win Jan. 4.
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Bulls at Nets odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:27 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Bulls -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | Nets -115 (bet $115 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Bulls +1.5 (-118) | Nets -1.5 (-102)
- Over/Under (O/U): 226.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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Bulls at Nets key injuries
Bulls
- G Lonzo Ball (knee) out
- G Alex Caruso (foot) probable
- F DeMar DeRozan (hip) questionable
- F Patrick Williams (ankle) probable
Nets
- G Seth Curry (thigh) out
- C Day’Ron Sharpe (foot) questionable
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Bulls at Nets picks and predictions
Prediction
Nets 115, Bulls 106
Moneyline
PASS.
The Nets (-115) should win, but there is no need to pay the extra juice on the moneyline when Brooklyn would likely cover its short spread with a win. Lay the points and/or bet the total instead.
Against the spread
BET NETS -1.5 (-102).
Brooklyn has played above expectation in its last 5 home games and will be extra motivated to win Thursday after dropping 3 of its last 4 games. The Nets should have no distractions now that all the drama surrounding the trade deadline has come to an end. Chicago is 11-16 ATS this season after a loss and should struggle to beat the Nets 3 times in 1 season.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 226.5 (-108).
The Under is 4-0 in Chicago’s last 4 games after allowing 100 or more points in its previous contest and 6-1 in the Bulls’ last 7 vs. teams with a winning record. The Under has hit in Brooklyn’s last 5 games vs. teams with a losing record and is 8-1 in the last 9 meetings between these teams.
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