The Denver Nuggets (8-4) visit the United Center Sunday to take on the Chicago Bulls (6-7). Tip is set for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Nuggets vs. Bulls odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Nuggets are coming into this game after being destroyed by the Celtics as 4-point underdogs on the road. Denver lost 131-112. That snapped a 4-game win streak.
The Nuggets’ strength is in both the efficiency of 2-time MVP C Nikola Jokic and their depth. Jokic averages 21.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and 8.5 assists per game. Denver has 6 players averaging double figures.
The Bulls, on the other hand, haven’t played since Wednesday, a 115-111 home loss to the Pelicans. Chicago has dropped 3 of its last 4 games this season. It is 4-3 at home and 2-4 on the road.
The Bulls are led by F DeMar DeRozan, who is averaging 24.5 points per game and shooting 50.7% from the floor. G Zach LaVine is also averaging 22 points per game.
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Nuggets 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 1:05 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Nuggets -125 (bet $125 to win $100) | Bulls +102 (bet $100 to win $102)
- Against the spread (ATS): Nuggets -1.5 (-115) | Bulls +1.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 232.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Nuggets at Bulls key injuries
Nuggets
- G Bones Hyland (Health and Safety Protocols) out
Bulls
- G Lonzo Ball (knee) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Nuggets at Bulls picks and predictions
Prediction
Bulls 119, Nuggets 115
Moneyline
BET BULLS (+102).
The Nuggets already rank 15th in net rating, which suggests that they aren’t as good as their 8-4 record indicates.
On top of that, their net rating plunges to -5.4 or 22nd in the NBA on the road. What the Nuggets do well defensively is owning the glass, and the Bulls aren’t a team that is heavily reliant on those extra opportunities.
Chicago is 4-3 against the spread (ATS) as the home team.
Against the spread
PASS.
I’ll take Chicago outright here instead of getting just a point-and-a-half.
Over/Under
LEAN OVER 232.5 (-105).
The Nuggets gave up 131 to the Celtics in their last time out, and the Bulls haven’t played in several days, meaning they should be rested and able to run on Denver. Denver is 7-5 O/U this season.
Both teams also rank in the top 10 in pace this season, which should help points come in bunches. With the Nuggets sitting second in effective field goal rate, they should be able to score on a weaker Chicago defense.
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