Chicago Bulls at Charlotte Hornets odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Thursday’s Chicago Bulls at Charlotte Hornets NBA odds and lines, with basketball picks, tips and predictions.

The Chicago Bulls (26-39) travel to meet the Charlotte Hornets (32-33) Thursday at Spectrum Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Bulls-Hornets odds and lines, with NBA picks and predictions.

The Bulls are on a four-game slide, and they haven’t covered in either of the games, either. It’s been a power outage on offense, as they have scored 98 or fewer points in each of the outings, and the Under has hit in each of those contests, too.

The Hornets have won two of the past three outings, both against the Detroit Pistons. They’re still just 1-4 ATS across the past five outings, and they lost in Chicago on April 22 in the most recent meeting by a 108-91 count as 1.5-point underdogs.

Bulls at Hornets: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:45 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Bulls -145 (bet $145 to win $100) | Hornets +120 (bet $100 to win $120)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Bulls -2.5 (-115) | Hornets +2.5 (-105)
  • Over/Under: 218.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Bulls at Hornets: Key injuries

Bulls

  • SF Troy Brown Jr. (ankle) out
  • PG Zach LaVine (illness) probable
  • C Nikola Vucevic (leg) probable

Hornets

  • SF Miles Bridges (illness) out
  • PG Nate Darling (ankle) out
  • PG Devonte Graham (knee) doubtful
  • SF Gordon Hayward (foot) out
  • SF Caleb Martin (ankle) questionable
  • PF Cody Martin (ankle) out
  • PF P.J. Washington (personal) probable

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Bulls at Hornets: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Hornets 103, Bulls 99

Money line (ML)

The HORNETS (+120) are a value play on their home court, as they look for revenge against the Bulls (-145) after getting toasted 108-91 April 22 in Chi Town. They’re catching Chicago at a good time, as they’re 0-4 SU/ATS in the past four, and the offense is struggling mightily.

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Against the spread (ATS)

The HORNETS +2.5 (-105) are not as good of a value catching a bucket-and-a-half as they are straight up, but if you expect a one-possession game, then play Charlotte with the points. They’re a much better play on the money line, however.

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 218.5 (-110) is the way to go, as Chicago has scored 98 or fewer points in each of the past four contests, while Charlotte has scored just 111 or fewer points in each of the past five. The Under is 7-3 in the previous 10 for Charlotte. The Under is the best play on the board.

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Chicago Bulls at Charlotte Hornets odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Friday’s Chicago Bulls at Charlotte Hornets NBA betting odds and lines, with basketball picks, tips and predictions.

The Chicago Bulls (6-8) visit the Charlotte Hornets (6-8) at the Spectrum Center Friday for a 7 p.m. ET tip-off. Below, we analyze the Bulls-Hornets NBA odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

Chicago has won back-to-back games at the Dallas Mavericks and against the Houston Rockets coming out of a four-game losing streak. The Bulls have been cashing for bettors backing Chicago plus points (8-2 against the spread in their last 10 games).

Quietly the Bulls have played some of the best offense in the Association under first-year head coach Billy Donovan: Chicago is fourth in points per game, seventh in effective field goal percentage and eighth in free throw attempt rate.

Since going on a four-game winning streak to get above .500, the Hornets have lost three straight (2-1 ATS) coming into Friday’s game. The losses came against teams off to a bumpy start (one loss to the Mavericks and back-to-back losses to the Toronto Raptors) but are expected to contend for the playoffs in their respective conferences.

Charlotte’s last game was Jan. 16 since their Jan. 20th scheduled game with the Washington Wizards was postponed due to COVID-19 issues within Washington. Like the Bulls, the Hornets have been a covering machine and are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games.

Before Donovan being hired by Chicago, Charlotte has dominated the Bulls head-to-head in recent seasons: The Hornets are 5-1 straight-up (6-0 ATS) in their last six meetings.

Bulls at Hornets: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:40 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Bulls +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Hornets -150 (bet $150 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Bulls +2.5 (-105) | Hornets -2.5 (-115)
  • Over/Under: 228.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Bulls at Hornets: Key Injuries

Bulls

  • SF Patrick Williams (hip) probable
  • Wendell Carter (thigh) doubtful

Hornets

  • Cody Zeller (hand) probable

Special NBA Betting Promotion!

Place a $1 bet on either team’s money line, WIN an additional $100 (in free bets) if either team hits a 3-pointer during the game today. Promotion available in CO, IN, MI, NJ, TN and WV. IA and PA residents, don’t miss BetMGM‘s risk-free, first-bet offer!

Place your legal, online sports bets at BetMGM! Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

Bulls at Hornets: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Hornet 118, Bulls 110

Money line (ML)

LEAN HORNETS (-150) only because I’d rather lose the chalk and lay the points. It’s a close one, though, and if you decided to take Charlotte to win outright, I wouldn’t hate it.

Against the spread (ATS)

I’m on HORNETS -2.5 (-115) for 1.5 units, and I gave this pick out on this week’s Bet Slippin’ Podcast, so check that out if you want more analysis. Anywho.

This is more of a working theory than tried and true, but I have more faith in bad offenses being able to score on bad defenses than bad defenses stopping bad offenses in the current NBA. For example, Charlotte is just 21st in offensive rating but ninth in defensive rating while Chicago is 13th in offensive rating and 26th in defensive rating.

The Hornets’ defensive intensity can translate easier over to this game because defense relies predominantly on effort whereas teams have off nights offensively for a bevy of reasons. Including because of good defense, which Charlotte does well.

Finally, this could be a look-ahead spot for the Bulls who are hosting the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics in the next two games.

Over/Under (O/U)

BetMGM is sharp with this total. I was hoping to get a Hornets-Bulls total of around 225, but I can work with this price. As much as Charlotte would probably not want to get into a shootout with Chicago, it’s probably going to happen.

But you see my prediction above and it’s hovering around the projected total so I only LEAN OVER 228.5 (-110) for a tiny wager.

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