The New Orleans Pelicans (20-31) visit the Windy City to play the Chicago Bulls (19-33) in the United Center at 8:00 p.m. ET. We analyze Pelicans-Bulls odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
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Pelicans at Bulls: Key injuries
PELICANS
- PF Zion Williamson (toe) probable
- SG Nickeil Alexander-Walker (illness) probable
- SG Kenrich Williams (back) out
- SF Darius Miller (Achilles’) out
BULLS
- PG Tomas Satoransky (ankle) probable
- SG Chandler Hutchison (shoulder) probable
- PG Ryan Arcidiacono (elbow) probable
- PF Daniel Gafford (ankle) doubtful
- SG Denzel Valentine (hamstring) doubtful
- PG Kris Dunn (knee) out
- SF Otto Porter Jr. (foot) out
- PF Lauri Markkanen (pelvis) out
- C Wendell Carter Jr. (ankle) out
Pelicans at Bulls: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 12:30 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Pelicans 122, Bulls 104
Moneyline (ML)
The Pelicans and the Bulls have struggled recently. New Orleans lost back-to-back games to the Milwaukee Bucks and Houston Rockets, and Chicago has lost three straight games to the Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets and Indiana Pacers. But the Pelicans are only six games back from the eighth seed, in a competitive West, and that makes this game against the Bulls sort of a must-win for New Orleans. The good news for the Pelicans is that they are catching the Bulls at the right time. Over the past 10 games, Chicago is 4-6 overall, and their opponents have the highest field-goal percentage and fourth-highest three-point percentage.
Needless to say, we aren’t betting the Bulls +165, but I’m also not betting Pelicans -200 at that price point under the personal rule of never laying more than -160 in a NBA regular season game. PASS ON THE MONEYLINE.
Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
HAMMER THE PELICANS -4.5 (-115). Between the Bulls’ recent performance, injury report and a motivated Pelicans team, New Orleans should crush Chicago on Thursday night. The Pelicans have won five straight against the Bulls and are 8-1 against the spread in the last nine meetings in Chicago. Also, New Orleans is 8-4 ATS against below .500 teams on the road and are 4-0 ATS in their last four road games versus a team with a losing home record.
Over/Under (O/U)
Keeping in mind the Bulls’ defensive issues lately, you also have to factor in the recent offensive prowess of the Pelicans when handicapping the total in this game. New Orleans has scored the second-most points per game, ninth-highest three-point percentage and most free throws attempted over their past 10 games.
However, I recommend PASSING THE TOTAL because I’m handicapping a one-sided affair and, despite the Pelicans’ below-average defense, I am not confident the Bulls can score 100-plus points in this game.
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