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The Chicago Bulls welcome the Oklahoma City Thunder to the United Center Wednesday. Tip in the season opener for both teams is set for 8 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Thunder vs. Bulls odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
Season series: First meeting; Thunder won both meetings last season
The Bulls didn’t make any premier offseason additions from a team that went 40-42 and a play-in tournament berth, failing to make the playoffs. Chicago was led by G Zach LaVine (24.8 points per game) and F DeMar DeRozan (24.5 PPG) and they will again be the faces of this Bulls team. Chicago ended last season 41-40-3 against the spread (ATS).
The Thunder finished 10th in the Western Conference last season with a 40-42 record, also failing to win 2 play-in games to make the playoffs. They were 16-25 on the road. Oklahoma City had the league’s 3rd-best ATS record at 46-35-3. The Thunder will be led by rising star G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who averaged 31.4 PPG last season.
Thunder at Bulls odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 11:01 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Thunder -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Bulls -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Thunder +1.5 (-120) | Bulls -1.5 (+100)
- Over/Under (O/U): 228.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Thunder at Bulls key injuries
Thunder
- F Jaylin Williams (hamstring) out
Bulls
- None
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Thunder at Bulls picks and predictions
Prediction
Bulls 117, Thunder 113
Moneyline
BET BULLS (-110).
The Thunder were good ATS last season, but they were just 17-26 on the road straight up. Chicago was solid at home, posting a 22-19 straight-up record. Neither team got much better this offseason other than the Thunder’s organic improvements.
The Bulls had a better net rating than the Thunder last season and have a solid roster with several players capable of taking a game over. Expect Chicago to come out hot at home and take BULLS (-110).
Against the spread
PASS.
The spread and moneyline are so close here that it makes more sense to take the stress out of a 1.5-point spread and just take the home team to win outright.
Over/Under
LEAN OVER 228.5 (-115).
The Thunder ranked 3rd in pace last season with the Bulls 18th. Oklahoma City has a young roster that should want to push the pace often. It was 47-37 O/U last season, the 5th-best Over-covering rate in the NBA.
Couple the Thunder’s desired pace with the Bulls shotmakers like LaVine and DeRozan, and there should be ample scoring. Back OVER 228.5 (-115).
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