The Chicago Bulls (42-30) head down to the Big Easy Thursday to play the New Orleans Pelicans (30-42). Tip-off at Smoothie King Center is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Bulls vs. Pelicans odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
Chicago has lost four of its last five games — 1-4 against the spread (ATS) — with the latest being a 126-98 blowout loss at the Milwaukee Bucks Tuesday.
NOLA had its two-game win streak snapped Monday in a 106-103 loss to the Hornets in Charlotte but covered as a 5.5-point road underdog and is 4-1 ATS in its last five games.
The Bulls smacked the Pelicans 128-112 at home Oct. 22 as the Bulls’ All-Stars SF DeMar DeRozan and SG Zach LaVine scored a combined 58 points on 20-for-39 shooting and PG Lonzo Ball put up a 17-10-11 triple-double.
Bulls at Pelicans odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:47 a.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Bulls -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Pelicans -105 (bet $105 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Bulls -1.5 (-105) | Pelicans +1.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 227.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Bulls at Pelicans key injuries
Bulls
- PG Lonzo Ball (knee) out
- SF DeMar DeRozan (hip) questionable
- SG Zach LaVine (knee) probable
Pelicans
- SF Brandon Ingram (hamstring) doubtful
- PF Larry Nance Jr. (knee) probable
[tipico]
Bulls at Pelicans odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Pelicans 115, Bulls 110
Money line
GIMME the PELICANS (-105) for 1 unit because the Bulls have been terrible lately and this is a much better spot for NOLA.
The Bulls rank 28th in adjusted offensive rating, according to CleaningTheGlass.com (CTG) over the last two weeks.
NOLA could be getting a little healthier for this game and has the depth and length at wing to give Chicago’s two All-Stars a tough time.
I wouldn’t be surprised if DeRozan or LaVine sat Thursday because DeMar has missed just four games this season and LaVine was iffy heading into Chicago’s previous game versus Milwaukee.
Chicago is just 7-9-1 ATS on the road versus teams with a losing record while NOLA is 11-9 ATS at home versus winning teams.
The Pelicans are better rested than the Bulls. NOLA is 12-6-1 ATS when playing with a rest edge with a plus-6.3 ATS margin. Chicago is 5-7-1 ATS when playing with a rest disadvantage with a minus-4.3 ATS margin.
I’d BET the PELICANS (-105) all the way up to -135 after which I’d lay up to 3.5 points with NOLA.
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Against the spread
PASS since there isn’t a big enough margin between NOLA’s ML and spread to bet the Pelicans +1.5 (-120).
Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 227.5 (-110) because of Chicago’s aforementioned offensive struggles and the Bulls are 1-8 O/U in their last nine games. Also, NOLA is 6-13 O/U when playing with a rest advantage and 18-23 O/U versus teams with a winning record.
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