The Chicago Bulls (28-17) stop by Paycom Center Monday for an 8 p.m. ET tip-off with the Oklahoma City Thunder (14-32). Below, we look at the Bulls vs. Thunder odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
Chicago has lost six of its past seven games, going 3-4 against the spread (ATS) including two straight road games at the Milwaukee Bucks Friday and at the Orlando Magic Sunday. The Bulls are 26-19 ATS and 22-22-1 Over/Under (O/U).
The Thunder just wrapped a four-game road trip and have lost 10 of their last 11 games including five straight (2-2-1 ATS). OKC’s latest outing was a 94-87 loss at the Cleveland Cavaliers Saturday. The Thunder are 29-16-1 ATS and 18-28 O/U.
Bulls at Thunder 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 12:26 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Bulls -130 (bet $130 to win $100) | Thunder +105 (bet $100 to win $105)
- Against the spread (ATS): Bulls -1.5 (-115) | Thunder +1.5 (-107)
- Over/Under (O/U): 216.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Bulls at Thunder key injuries
Bulls (not officially submitted)
- SG Zach LaVine (knee) questionable
- PG Lonzo Ball (knee) out
- SG Alex Caruso (wrist) out
Thunder
- None.
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Bulls at Thunder odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Thunder 108, Bulls 105
Money line
The oddsmakers are screaming at bettors to take the Bulls (-130) at this price, which is part of the reason I’m SPRINKLING on the THUNDER (+105).
Considering Chicago’s place in the standings and LaVine’s possible return, this seems like the oddsmakers are laying a trap. However, this is a much better spot for the Thunder.
Thunder PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander balled out versus the Bulls last season. Shai averaged 27.0 points per game (PPG) on 70.7% true shooting (.639/.500/1.000) with 5.5 assists in two meetings in 2020-21.
The absences of Ball and Caruso means Shai is essentially facing the same Chicago backcourt that he dominated last season.
SPRINKLE on the THUNDER (+105) since OKC plus the points is the much sharper play and I’d wait closer to tip-off before placing a wager.
Against the spread
Definitely BET the THUNDER +1.5 (-107) heavier than or instead of their money line because this is a much better spot for the Thunder.
OKC is 13-6-1 ATS as a home underdog, 6-3-1 ATS at home versus teams above-.500, 6-3-1 ATS when playing with a rest advantage and 10-4-1 ATS versus Eastern Conference teams.
On the other hand, Chicago is 3-5 ATS when playing with a rest disadvantage and 5-5 ATS on the road versus teams with a losing record.
Both teams have been playing terribly lately hence the tight odds but the Bulls haven’t been meeting expectations whereas the Thunder have.
Chicago is 29th in adjusted net rating at minus-8.0 but 28th in ATS margin at minus-4.2 over the last two weeks, according to CleaningTheGlass.com (CTG), while OKC is 28th in adjusted net rating at minus-7.3 but 10th in ATS margin at plus-2.1 across that same span.
The THUNDER +1.5 (-107) is my favorite wager in this game but, again, I’d wait until closer to tip-off to get a better price.
Over/Under
Slight “LEAN” to the UNDER 216.5 (-112) for a tiny wager, if at all, because Chicago is 10-12-1 O/U on the road and OKC is 8-12 O/U as a home underdog.
However, the Over appears to be the sharp side since the total has been steamed from the 214.5-point opener up to the current price.
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