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The Chicago Bulls travel to face the New Orleans Pelicans to open their 2024-25 season Wednesday. Tip-off from Smoothie King Center is set for 8 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Bulls vs. Pelicans odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Pelicans won 2-0 last season
Chicago clearly is headed towards rebuild mode after losing both G Alex Caruso and F DeMar DeRozan in the offseason. Fans in the Windy City still have a few things to be excited about with the long-awaited return of G Lonzo Ball from injury and the continued development of G Coby White.
New Orleans had an eventful offseason, losing C Jonas Valanciunas and trading for G Dejounte Murray. The Pelicans have a lot of experimenting to do with their current roster to see how, or if, pieces like F Brandon Ingram and G CJ McCollum will fit with this roster. NOLA will also be seeing if Zion Williamson can play real minutes as the full-time center.
Bulls at Pelicans odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NBA odds. Lines last updated Tuesday at 11:28 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Bulls +220 (bet $100 to win $220) | Pelicans -275 (bet $275 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Bulls +6.5 (-110) | Pelicans -6.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 225.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Bulls at Pelicans key injuries
Bulls
- G Lonzo Ball (knee) available
Pelicans
- G Jose Alvarado (knee) questionable
- F Trey Murphy III (hamstring) out
- G Dejounte Murray (personal) questionable
- F Zion Williamson (illness) questionable
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Bulls at Pelicans picks and predictions
Prediction
Pelicans 118, Bulls 110
Moneyline
PASS.
The Pelicans are the much better team, but they are not worth the risk of betting on as -275 favorites, so I recommend betting on the spread and/or total instead.
Against the spread
LEAN PELICANS -6.5 (-110).
The Pelicans got better this offseason, and with their perimeter defense likely being even better with the addition of Murray, they are a safe bet to cover here. On the other hand, the Bulls got much worse this offseason, and they simply will not have enough to cover here vs. a healthy New Orleans team.
This is a lean because of the potential missing players for New Orleans, but if even 2 of those 3 questionable players suit up, then expect for the Pelicans to cover here.
Over/Under
BET OVER 225.5 (-110).
Chicago’s defense got much worse with the loss of Caruso, whereas New Orleans got better on both sides of the ball and will be able to put up points at will on the Bulls.
The Over has also hit in 8 of the last 10 matchups between these squads, also being 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in New Orleans.
The only worry with this bet is whether or not Chicago’s offense will be good enough to help this game hit the Over.
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