The Cleveland Cavaliers (22-14) visit the Chicago Bulls (16-19) Saturday. Tip-off from United Center is set for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Cavaliers vs. Bulls odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Cavaliers are on an uncharacteristic 3-game losing skid that continued Thursday with a 135-126 loss at the Indiana Pacers. All 3 losses have come against Eastern Conference teams and 2 of the 3 came at home. The loss to the Pacers came largely due to an unusual lack of defense that saw Indiana shoot 56.5% from the field (48 of 85) and 61.3% from 3-point range (19 of 31).
The Bulls defeated the Detroit Pistons 132-118 Friday. G Zach Lavine had a season-high 43 points on an astounding 75% shooting (15 of 20). This game was otherwise very even outside of Lavine’s scoring.
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Cavaliers at Bulls odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:16 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Cavaliers -140 (bet $140 to win $100) | Bulls +120 (bet $100 to win $120)
- Against the spread (ATS): Cavaliers -2.5 (-110) | Bulls + 2.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 224.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
Cavaliers at Bulls key injuries
Cavaliers
- G Darius Garland (thumb) questionable
- F Evan Mobley (ankle) questionable
- F Cedi Osman (back) questionable
- F Dean Wade (shoulder) out
Bulls
- Not yet submitted
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Cavaliers at Bulls picks and predictions
Prediction
Bulls 113, Cavaliers 109
Moneyline
LEAN BULLS (+125).
If the Cavaliers were fully healthy I would agree with this line 100%, but they are coming into this game banged up and with key players either out or questionable. Cleveland is a team that is already lacking in depth and coupled with their current losing skid, this game could easily go either way but I lean towards the Bulls who trail 1-0 in the season series but are the hotter team.
Against the spread
The BULLS +2.5 (-110) is my best bet for this game.
With an injured Cavaliers team, the Bulls will be able to stay in this game and make it a contest whether they win or lose. It should be easy for the Bulls to contend with a team that is believed to be much better than them at full strength but is dealing with such a range of injuries. This will hinge on the stars for the Bulls, but they are used to that pressure and will get it done.
Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 224.5 (-112).
Both teams are mediocre offensively even when at their best and the Cavaliers have the league’s top-ranked defense (106.3 points allowed per game). I might ignore averages when dealing with teams as talented as the Bulls and Cavs simply because the scoring potential is always there, but with the Cavs’ injuries, I am more confident in the Under. However, there is plenty of talent in the backcourts that could result in outrageous numbers on any given night, which is why this is a lean, but I don’t see that happening Saturday.
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