The Charlotte Hornets (18-36) play the Chicago Bulls (19-36) in the first game back from the All-Star break at United Center at 8 p.m. ET Thursday. We analyze the Hornets-Bulls odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
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Hornets at Bulls: Key injuries
Hornets
- SG Cody Martin (concussion) probable
- PG Terry Rozier (knee) probable
- PF Cody Zeller (face) questionable
Bulls
- C Wendell Carter Jr. (ankle) probable
- SG Denzel Valentine (hamstring) questionable
- SF Otto Porter Jr. (foot) out
- PG Kris Dunn (knee) out
- PF Lauri Markkanen (hip) out
- PF Chandler Hutchison (shoulder) out
Hornets at Bulls: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 10:20 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Hornets 108, Bulls 105
Moneyline (ML)
Both teams are straddling the line between being in the Eastern Conference playoff race and a candidate for tanking. The Hornets (+170) are 5.5 games back of the Orlando Magic and the Bulls (-208) are five games out. Chicago limped into the All-Star break, losing six straight games, and Charlotte won back-to-back games prior to the break. The Hornets are a tad healthier than the Bulls and have won two of three meetings this season.
SPRINKLE ON THE HORNETS (+170).
New to sports betting? Bet $50 on the Hornets at +170 to earn a profit of $85 if they win outright.
Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
This game should be a tight one. Since we are already on Charlotte to win outright, BET the HORNETS (+5.5, -115) for insurance. They are both on ample rest since this is the first game back from the All-Star break and Chicago has the worst against the spread winning percentage in the league when going against teams on an equal amount of rest (13-25-1 ATS).
Second, Charlotte has the better ATS record versus conference opponents. The Hornets are 17-15 ATS and the Bulls are 16-21 ATS against Eastern Conference teams. Finally, and the trend I like the most in this handicap, the Hornets are 12-5 ATS on the road against teams below .500 and the Bulls are just 6-7 ATS versus sub-.500 teams.
Over/Under (O/U)
The last Hornets-Bulls contest went way Under the projected total (83-73) in what’s been one of the worst offensive games in the 2019-20 NBA season. However, the Over is 10-2 in the last 12 meetings and BetMGM is trying to scare us away from betting the low total of 209.5 with the Over priced at -121.
TAKE OVER 209.5 (-121).
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