The Phoenix Suns (56-14) host the Chicago Bulls (41-28) Friday at Footprint Center for a 10 p.m. ET tip-off. Below, we look at the Bulls vs. Suns odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
Chicago has lost back-to-back road games at the Sacramento Kings Monday (112-103) and the Utah Jazz Wednesday (125-110). The Bulls are 2-4 straight up (SU) and 1-5 against the spread (ATS) over the last two weeks.
Phoenix is 6-2 SU and 4-4 ATS in the last 14 days, which includes three consecutive double-digit victories entering Friday. However, all of those opponents had a losing record.
The Suns beat the Bulls in a 127-124 nail-biter in Chicago Feb. 7 but the Bulls covered as 6.5-point home underdogs.
Also see: Bet Slippin’ Podcast: NBA March 18 breakdown
Bulls at Suns 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 2:16 p.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Bulls +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | Suns -230 (bet $230 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Bulls +5.5 (-110) | Suns -5.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 230.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
Bulls at Suns key injuries
Bulls
- PG Lonzo Ball (knee) out
- SG Zach LaVine (knee) probable
Suns
- PF Jae Crowder (groin) questionable
- PF Cameron Johnson (quad) out
- PG Chris Paul (hand) out
[tipico]
Bulls at Suns odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Bulls 115, Suns 112
Money line
Slight LEAN to the BULLS (+180) because I like Chicago plus the points but I’m hesitant to back the Bulls against a quality opponent.
Chicago is 6-14 SU versus teams in the top-10 of net efficiency with a minus-7.6 adjusted net rating (ranked 22nd) according to CleaningTheGlass.com (CTG).
However, there’s significant reverse line movement (RLM) in both the ML and ATS markets for Bulls-Suns.
More than 90% of the cash is on the Suns according to Pregame.com, but they’ve gone from a -260 ML favorite on the opener down to the current number. It seems like the House is trying to goad more pro-Phoenix bets.
I’d also give Chicago’s half-court offense an edge over Phoenix’s sans CP3. The Bulls are right in front of the Suns in terms of fastbreak offensive efficiency atop the NBA.
PLAY: Free, daily sports pick’em contests. Play now!
Against the spread
The BULLS PLUS THE POINTS is my favorite wager in this game because of said RLM in the ATS market and neither team is profitable in this spot.
I can find nits to pick with either side but the Bulls need to bust out of a slump and Phoenix’s injury report is more worrisome than Chicago’s.
BET the BULLS +5.5 (-110) for 1 unit.
Over/Under
PASS because the situational trends and betting splits don’t provide a clue either way and this is a sharp total.
Chicago is 34-34-1 O/U (16-17-1 O/U on the road) and Phoenix is 36-33-1 O/U (22-15 O/U at home).
Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!
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.
Additional NBA sports coverage:
HoopsHype | Celtics Wire | LeBron Wire | Lonzo Wire | Nets Wire | Rockets Wire | Sixers Wire | Thunder Wire | Warriors Wire | Rookie Wire | List Wire
Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]