Indiana Pacers at Chicago Bulls odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Indiana Pacers at Chicago Bulls sports betting odds, with NBA matchup analysis and picks.

The Indiana Pacers (37-25) head to the Windy City Friday to play the Chicago Bulls (21-41) at the United Center at 8 p.m. ET. We analyze the Pacers-Bulls odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.


Place a legal sports bet on this NBA action or other games at BetMGM.


Pacers at Bulls: Key injuries

Pacers

  • PG Malcolm Brogdon (hip) doubtful
  • SG Victor Oladipo (knee) questionable
  • SG Jeremy Lamb (knee) out
  • SF T.J. Warren (leg) questionable
  • SF Doug McDermott (foot) questionable
  • PF JaKarr Sampson (hip) questionable

Bulls

  • PG Zach LaVine (quadricep) out
  • PG Kris Dunn (knee) out
  • PF Luke Kornet (ankle) out
  • SF Chandler Hutchison (shoulder) out

Pacers 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 Friday at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Pacers 105, Bulls 103

Moneyline (ML)

Both teams are coming off road losses on Wednesday — the Pacers (-154) falling 119-100 at Milwaukee on Wednesday and the Bulls (+125) going down in Minnesota 115-108. Indiana has won and covered all three games this season against the Bulls, but this is a rare game this season in which Chicago could be healthier its opponent (though both teams could be without their leading scorers in Warren and LaVine). As much as I’d like to take the home dog here, the Bulls are just 3-12 straight up when getting points at home, losing by an average of 8.4 points. If the Bulls’ moneyline was +150 or above, I’d be more into it. Also, the Pacers are 12-5 with a 5.1-point average margin of victory when laying points on the road.

PASS ON THE MONEYLINE. 

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

This is always an overly simple thing to say, but please monitor the injury report for this one. If the Pacers are down three starters, the Bulls are very appealing. Currently, I’m saying bet BULLS +3.5 (-115) because of the Pacers’ injury woes and their in-division struggles against the spread. Despite their three straight covers against the Bulls, the Pacers are just 5-7-2 ATS with a -3.9 ATS margin vs. division foes this season. Also, Chicago is 7-7 ATS against Central Division opponents.

Over/Under (O/U)

This is a case of an elite offense (Indiana) going up against a poor defense (Chicago). The Pacers rank seventh in opponents’ points per game and eighth in opponent’s field goal percentage, while the Bulls are 25th in PPG and 24th in FG%. Since both teams could be without their leading scores, I LEAN UNDER 211.5 (-115). It’s only a lean because I am nervous that all the Pacers’ injuries could affect their defense as much as their offense and their combined Over/Under record is 65-58-1.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Indiana Pacers at Chicago Bulls odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Indiana Pacers at Chicago Bulls sports betting odds, with NBA matchup analysis and picks.

The Indiana Pacers (23-15) visit the Windy City to play the Chicago Bulls (13-25) at United Center at 8 p.m. ET. We analyze Pacers-Bulls odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.


Place a legal sports bet on this NBA action or other games at BetMGM.


Pacers at Bulls: Key injuries

Pacers

  • PF Domantas Sabonis (knee) questionable
  • SG Malcolm Brogdon (back) questionable
  • SG Victor Oladipo (knee) out

Bulls

  • PF Lauri Markkanen (ankle) probable
  • C Wendell Carter Jr. (ankle) out
  • SF Otto Porter Jr. (foot) out

Pacers 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 2:00 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Pacers 108, Bulls 99

Moneyline (ML)

The PACERS’ (-139) moneyline price is on the cusp of betting value but if Brogdon can play the Pacers should convincingly beat the Bulls. Brogdon is their leading distributor with 7.4 assists per game and the Pacers are 18-9 in the 27 games he has started. Also, these teams have shown opposite forms in recent games. The Pacers have beaten the Bulls in six straight and the Bulls have lost five games in a row.

Back the Pacers on the moneyline to keep up their win streak against the Bulls. New to sports betting? A $139 wager on the Pacers to win returns a profit of $100.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The loss of Carter due to a high ankle sprain could be major for the Bulls who rank 12th in opponents’ points per game, but they allow the most PPG by opposing power forwards and sixth most PPG by opposing centers. Monitor the injury report because if Sabonis can play tonight, he could help wreak havoc in the paint against the Bulls.

I am a little hesitant of an ATS play here because the Pacers are 4-6 ATS as away favorites but the Bulls struggle even more as a home underdog going 3-7 ATS. Furthermore, the Pacers are 1-5 ATS in their last six games against Chicago. Given how limited the Bulls are offensively (ranked 25th in PPG and 28th in offensive rating) and the Pacers above-average defensive performance (ranked eighth in opposing PPG and 11th in defensive rating), take PACERS (-3.5, +105).

Over/Under (O/U)

BET UNDER 214.5 (-115). The Under is 19-7 in the last 26 Pacers-Bulls meetings and the Pacers have a 2-7 Over/Under record in divisional games. My handicap has the Pacers mounting an early lead and the scoring dying out in the second half. Also, the referee crew assigned to this game has an Over/Under record of 25-33 on the season.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @Geoffery_Clark and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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