Chicago Bulls odds picks prediction spread over/under betting line – Page 3

Denver Nuggets at Chicago Bulls odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Monday’s Denver Nuggets at Chicago Bulls odds and lines, with NBA expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Denver Nuggets (11-11) visit the Windy City Monday for an 8 p.m. ET tip-off at United Center with the Chicago Bulls (16-8). Below, we look at the Nuggets vs. Bulls odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions, and bets.

This is Denver’s fourth game of a seven-game road trip and the Nuggets are 2-1 overall and ATS thus far. Reigning MVP Nikola Jokic returned from a strained wrist injury to start the road swing. The Nuggets are 9-13 ATS and 11-11 O/U with the 16th-best net rating.

Chicago has won four of the past five games including three straight over the Charlotte Hornets, New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets. The Bulls are 16-8 ATS and 11-13 O/U with the fourth-best net rating.

The Bulls beat the Nuggets 114-108 in their first meeting of the season (Nov. 19), but Jokic didn’t suit up for that game. Chicago’s two leading scorers—Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan—combined for 62 points against Denver earlier this season.

Nuggets at Bulls odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:36 a.m. ET.

Money line: Nuggets +140 (bet $100 to win $140) | Bulls -175 (bet $175 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Nuggets +3.5 (-105) | Bulls -3.5 (-120)
Over/Under (O/U): 217.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)

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Nuggets at Bulls key injuries

Nuggets

SG Austin Rivers (health and safety protocols) out

Bulls

SG Alex Caruso (hamstring) doubtful
PG Coby White (health and safety protocols) out

Nuggets at Bulls odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Bulls 117, Nuggets 106

Money line

PASS with a heavy “lean” toward the Bulls (-175) because they match up very well against the Nuggets and this is on the fringe of my price range for an NBA regular-season money line favorite.

However, the Bulls match up so well with the Nuggets that I’ll chase the value with Chicago’s spread instead of spending extra for the pricey money line.

Against the spread

BET BULLS -3.5 (-120) because there are a few strength-on-weaknesses edges for Chicago.

The Bulls can pick-and-roll the Nuggets to death. Chicago runs the fifth-most pick-and-roll action through both the ball handler and the roll man. Denver’s pick-and-roll defense vs. the roll man grades in the 34.5th percentile and 27.6th percentile vs. the ball handler.

According to ShotQuality.com, Chicago generates the fourth-most shots out of pick-and-roll screens, while Denver’s defense allows the second-worst shot quality vs. pick-and-roll screens.

Also, the Bulls should feast in the mid-range. Chicago’s top-two scorers (LaVine and DeRozan) operate in the mid-range and the Bulls attempt the sixth-highest volume of mid-range jumpers, per CleaningTheGlass.com. Denver is 26th in defensive field-goal percentage vs. mid-range field goals.

The only hesitation I have with the BULLS -3.5 (-120) is the significant “reverse line movement” in Denver’s direction. A vast majority of the market is hammering Chicago here but the Bulls are getting cheaper. It’s a red flag whenever sportsbooks make the more popular side cheaper.

Chicago’s edges over Denver in this matchup are too overwhelming to pass on the BULLS -3.5 (-120).

Over/Under

PASS because the Over 217.5 (-108) is my preferred play on the total but we’d be getting to the party too late. The Nuggets-Bulls game opened with a 214-point total but has been steamed up by the market.

The basketball logic for the Over is Chicago will get buckets through pick-and-roll action and mid-range jumpers. But Denver runs a lot of post plays and is highly efficient in post-up offense whereas Chicago’s defense can struggle vs. post-up offense.

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.

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Chicago Bulls at Brooklyn Nets odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Saturday’s Chicago Bulls at Brooklyn Nets odds and lines, with NBA expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Chicago Bulls (15-8) play the Brooklyn Nets (16-6) Saturday in a battle of the first- and second-place teams in the Eastern Conference. Tip-off from Barclays Center is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Bulls vs. Nets odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions, and bets.

Chicago has won three of its last four games including back-to-back victories over the Charlotte Hornets Monday and the New York Knicks Thursday. The Bulls are 15-8 ATS and 11-12 O/U with the fourth-best net rating (plus-4.7).

Brooklyn has won six of its last seven games (2-5 ATS) and also enter on a two-game win streak. Those wins were against the Knicks Tuesday and the Minnesota Timberwolves Friday. The Nets are 9-13 ATS and 10-12 O/U with the sixth-best net rating (plus-4.0).

The Nets won two of three regular-season meetings with the Bulls last year (2-1 ATS) and the Under cashed in all three contests.

Bulls at Nets odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 1 p.m. ET.

Money line: Bulls +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Nets -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Bulls +2.5 (-107) | Nets -2.5 (-115)
Over/Under (O/U): 222.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)

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Bulls at Nets key injuries

Bulls

SG Alex Caruso (hamstring) questionable
SG Javonte Green (health and safety protocols) out
PG Coby White (health and safety protocols) out

Nets (not officially submitted)

SG Joe Harris (ankle) out

Bulls at Nets odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Nets 118, Bulls 111

Money line

BET the NETS (-140) for 1.25 units because their win probability based on that money line is 58.3%. I think Brooklyn wins this game outright more than 60.0% of the time and the Nets should be laying around -160.

This would be an awesome NBA JAM game featuring four of the best scorers in the league, but I’ll go with the team that has two former MVPs (Brooklyn).

Furthermore, F Kevin Durant is a sneaky good defender and I expect KD to win his matchup against Bulls wing DeMar DeRozan handily. If Caruso cannot suit up then Chicago’s perimeter and on-ball defense will be significantly weakened.

Both of these squads like to filter their offense through their scoring options, running a lot of isolation offense and attempting crafty long-mid-range jumpers. However, Chicago’s defense has the third-worst efficiency against isolation offense.

We also have a “Pros vs. Joe’s” scenario in the betting market, according to Pregame.com — slightly more money is on Brooklyn’s money line but there is a higher percentage of actual bets on Chicago at the time of publication.

The bottom line is this game is priced as if these are even teams and I don’t think we’ve seen enough out of the Bulls to say that. I “LIKE” the NETS (-140) to knock the Bulls down a peg Saturday.

Against the spread

PASS with a heavy “lean” to the Nets -2.5 (-115) because they are the right side and should cover that number.

However, Brooklyn’s money line is only 25 cents on the dollar more expensive than the Nets -2.5 (-115) so I’d rather stick with that.

Over/Under

PASS with a “lean” to the Over 222.5 (-108) because with all the firepower on both sides I think we could get an explosive offensive outing. Plus both teams are very efficient in isolation offense and very inefficient versus iso ball on the defensive end of the floor.

However, a vast majority of the market has already steamed the Bulls-Nets total up from the 219.5-point opener to the current number. I hate following a crowd of people in sports betting and I don’t have a strong enough handicap of this total to get down money.

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

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Chicago Bulls at New York Knicks odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Thursday’s Chicago Bulls at New York Knicks odds and lines, with NBA expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Chicago Bulls (14-8) visit the “Big Apple” to play the New York Knicks (11-10) at Madison Square Garden. The tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Bulls vs. Knicks odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions, and bets.

Chicago has split its last six games (3-3 overall and ATS), which includes a 109-103 victory over New York Nov. 21. Bulls wings Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan combined for 52 points and the Knicks shot just 26% from behind the arc in that game.

New York has alternated between winning and losing over the past nine games with the latest being a 112-110 loss at the Brooklyn Nets as 6-point road underdogs.

However, the Knicks won the first meeting this season against the Bulls 104-103. The road team has won and covered both Bulls-Knicks games this year.

The Knicks are 10-11 ATS and 8-13 O/U while the Bulls are 14-8 ATS and 10-12 O/U.

Also See: Bet Slippin’ Podcast: NBA December 2 breakdown

Bulls at Knicks odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:50 p.m. ET.

Money line: Bulls -130 (bet $130 to win $100) | Knicks +105 (bet $100 to win $105)
Against the spread (ATS): Bulls -1.5 (-120) | Knicks +1.5 (-105)
Over/Under (O/U): 209.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Bulls at Knicks key injuries

Bulls

PG Coby White (health and safety protocols) out
PF Patrick Williams (wrist) out

Knicks

SF RJ Barrett (illness) questionable

Bulls at Knicks odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Knicks 111, Bulls 106

Money line

“LEAN” to the KNICKS (+105) only because I prefer New York plus the points because there’s not a lot separating these two squads, and this game should come down to the final possessions. However, the Knicks are deeper, and if all things are equal, then I’ll take the home team.

New York has the third-highest scoring bench in the league with the second-best plus/minus. While Chicago is 28th in bench points per game and 13th in plus/minus.

Furthermore, in New York’s Oct. 28th victory over Chicago, Knicks All-Star Julius Randle only scored nine points on 27% shooting, but New York still won on the road.

Moreover, there are basketball edges that the Knicks can exploit in this matchup. Chicago takes a ton of mid-range jumpers and New York has the sixth-best defensive field goal percentage vs. mid-range shots, according to CleaningTheGlass.com.

Finally, these teams have split the eight quarters and the “four factors” over two games so far this year. Sure, the road team won and covered the first two Bulls-Knicks meetings this year.

But, I think that trend breaks Thursday because, generally, role players perform better at home. And, like we just discussed, the Knicks have more depth.

Again, the better play is New York getting the points but I’ll “SPRINKLE” on the KNICKS (+105).

Against the spread

Definitely BET the KNICKS +1.5 (-120) heavier than or instead of New York’s money line based on the aforementioned logic.

For what it’s worth, nearly two-thirds of the cash is on the Bulls at the time of publishing, according to Pregame.com. So, there’s a “fade the market” angle we can work into our KNICKS +1.5 (-105) handicap.

Over/Under

PASS on the total because there are arguments for this game being a rock-fight or an up-and-down thriller. The Bulls have two dynamic scorers, and the Knicks can get hot from behind the arc.

That said, the Under has cashed in five straight Bulls-Knicks games and the total has ticked down a few points from the opener even though a slight majority of the money is on the Over per Pregame.com. For those reasons, I “lean” to the Under but don’t like it enough to bet it.

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

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Milwaukee Bucks at Toronto Raptors odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Thursday’s Milwaukee Bucks at Toronto Raptors odds and lines, with NBA expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Milwaukee Bucks (14-8) roll into “Jurassic Park” Thursday to play the Toronto Raptors (9-13) at Scotiabank Arena. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Bucks vs. Raptors odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions, and bets.

Milwaukee has won eight straight games since two-time All-Star wing Khris Middleton returned to the lineup. However, the Bucks have only covered in half of those wins and lost ATS in Wednesday’s thrilling 127-125 victory over the Charlotte Hornets. Milwaukee is 10-12 ATS and 8-14 O/U.

Toronto is 2-7 overall and ATS in its last nine games and enters on a three-game losing skid with the latest being a 98-91 loss at home versus a Ja Morant-less Memphis Grizzlies Tuesday. The Raptors are 8-14 ATS and 12-10 O/U.

The Raptors won and covered two of three regular-season meetings with the Bucks last year and the Under was 2-1 in those contests.

Also See: Bet Slippin’ Podcast: NBA December 2 breakdown

Bucks at Raptors odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:07 p.m. ET.

Money line: Bucks -190 (bet $190 to win $100) | Raptors +155 (bet $100 to win $155)
Against the spread (ATS): Bucks -4.5 (-115) | Raptors +2.5 (-107)
Over/Under (O/U): 216.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)

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Bucks at Raptors key injuries

Bucks

SG Donte DiVincenzo (ankle) out
C DeMarcus Cousins (reconditioning) out
C Brook Lopez (back) out

Raptors

SG Gary Trent Jr. (calf) questionable
SF OG Anunoby (hip) out
PG Goran Dragic (personal) out

Bucks at Raptors odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Bucks 112, Raptors 102

Money line

PASS with a heavy “lean” towards the Bucks (-190) because this is on the fringe of my price range for an NBA regular-season favorite. Milwaukee is definitely the right side but I like the Bucks enough in this spot to lay the points and avoid the vig.

Against the spread

BET BUCKS -4.5 (-115) for 1 unit because they have the best efficiency differential since Middleton came back and are actually better than their record indicates.

Milwaukee is 1.5 games behind the Brooklyn Nets for first-place in the Eastern Conference for now and not much longer in my opinion. While this definitely feels like a “trap spot” for the Bucks, I’m going to take the bait.

The Bucks just hammer bad teams. Milwaukee is 7-1 overall with a plus-16.2 efficiency differential against teams with a bottom-10 net rating, according to CleaningTheGlass.com. Against bottom-10 defenses, Milwaukee is 5-1 overall with a plus-16.0 efficiency differential.

The Raptors also can’t find their groove at home: Toronto is 2-8 overall and 1-9 ATS at home with the fifth-worst efficiency differential and the second-worst ATS margin.

Milwaukee should be motivated due to past results and playoff losses against Toronto. The Bucks have lost two straight at home to the Raptors and both by double digits. Granted, it was last year, but Milwaukee is red-hot and I don’t envision the Bucks letting their guard down in this game.

Over/Under

PASS with a slight “lean” to the Under 216.5 (-115) since my numbers predict this game going under by a few points. Milwaukee should shut down Toronto who could be without a couple of starters.

For what it’s worth, a majority of the market is betting the Over, according to the Yahoo! Sports App and Pregame.com. The total has been increased from 215 on the lookahead line to the current number.

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

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