The Chicago Bulls (10-5) are in “Mile High City” Friday for a 9 p.m. ET game against the Denver Nuggets (9-6) at Ball Arena. Below, we look at the Bulls vs. Nuggets odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions, and bets.
Chicago is 2-2 overall and ATS in the first four of its five-game Western Conference road swing. The Bulls lost to the Trail Blazers 112-107 as 3.5-point road underdogs Wednesday. Chicago is 10-5 ATS and 6-9 O/U with the fourth-ranked net rating (plus-5.2).
Also see: Bet Slippin’ Podcast’s Daily NBA show
Denver is has lost back-to-back games to the Dallas Mavericks and Joel Embiid-less Philadelphia 76ers after winning five straight. The Nuggets are 7-8 ATS and 4-11 O/U with the eighth-best net rating (plus-3.2).
The Nuggets beat the Bulls in both regular-season meetings last year but Denver is missing two of its starters while Chicago brought in several new pieces this offseason.
Bulls at Nuggets odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:00 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Bulls -108 (bet $108 to win $100) | Nuggets -112 (bet $112 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Bulls +1.5 (-120) | Nuggets -1.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 208.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)
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Bulls at Nuggets key injuries
Bulls
- C Nikola Vucevic (health and safety protocols)
Nuggets
- C Nikola Jokic (wrist) questionable
- SF Michael Porter Jr. (back) out
- PG Jamal Murray (knee) out
Bulls at Nuggets odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Bulls 105, Nuggets 99
Money line
BET the BULLS (-108) because Chicago is healthier and took “sharp” money early. For instance, Chicago has been steamed down from a +148 consensus underdog down the current number, according to Pregame.com.
Furthermore, the Bulls rank 13th in adjusted shot quality differential whereas the Nuggets rank 21st, according to ShotQuality.com.
Plus Chicago’s backcourt has a huge advantage over Denver’s. Bulls guards Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso are an elite defensive backcourt whereas Nuggets guards Monte Morris and Will Barton are a below-average starting backcourt.
On top of that, no one on the Nuggets aside from Jokic can create their own look. The Bulls have two elite wings that are certified scorers (Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan).
Against the spread
PASS on the Bulls +1.5 (-120) because it doesn’t offer much insurance for our Chicago money line wager and the price is going down because of Jokic’s iffy game status. Let’s just gamble on Jokic’s availability, or lack thereof hopefully, and stick with the Bulls outright.
Over/Under
BET the UNDER 208.5 (-115) because both teams are elite defensively and their games match up well for a low-scoring game.
Chicago likes to operate in the mid-range through its two dynamic wings and Denver plays solid defensive vs. mid-range field goals.
The Nuggets also attempt a high volume of mid-range jumpers and the Bulls have the best defensive field goal percentage vs. mid-range field goals.
Additionally, Chicago relies on getting to the charity stripe at a high rate but Denver ranks fifth in defensive FT/FGA rate.
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