Tag: United Center

‘Chicago’s college hockey team’ at barbecue and country music festival

Wonder if anyone noticed them.

It’s summer, and while Notre Dame’s hockey team surely is preparing for the 2023-24 season, that’s doesn’t mean a little fun isn’t in order. And that also doesn’t mean the fun has to stay in South Bend. Chicago is the closest big city to the Notre Dame campus, and it’s where many Irish fans live. Add the fact that the Irish have five players from the area, and it only made sense to head out that way:

Specifically, the Irish were at the United Center for the Windy City Smokeout, a festival in which attendees can enjoy a heavy selection of barbecue food and some of the top country music artists around. The festival is taking place over four days, and one of them clearly worked out for the Irish. Here’s hoping everyone there had their fill of food and music. After all, summer comes around only once a year, so it’s best to make the most of it.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

United Center lands new drink sponsor for Bulls, Blackhawks games

The United Center, Chicago Bulls, and Chicago Blackhawks are changing soft drink sponsors, with PepsiCo becoming the new face.

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The Chicago Bulls have had a solid offseason, and it’s brought a few changes to the roster. Obviously, Nikola Vucevic and Coby White remained in place, signing extensions with the team, but the Bulls brought in two new faces in free agency: Jevon Carter and Torrey Craig.

But Chicago’s changes haven’t been all on the court. The United Center underwent one major change. As announced on its Twitter account, United Center, the home for Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks games, is switching drink sponsors. PepsiCo is the new sponsor.

PepsiCo will now be the soft drink provider of the United Center, the Bulls, and the Blackhawks, as the drink company and the three entities announced a multi-year partnership.

“Together with the Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks, the United Center is committed to elevating the fan experience by partnering with brands who lead with innovation and offer best-in-class products,” said Joe Myhra, the senior vice president of the United Center, in a press release. “We are thrilled to collaborate with PepsiCo in the coming years as we work to create iconic experiences for fans at the arena in addition to expanding our collective impact in our surrounding community.”

The change means Coca-Cola and its brand family, including Fanta, Minute Maid and Dasani, will be replaced by PepsiCo branded products: Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Starry and Aquafina.

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Providence coach Ed Cooley imitates ‘The Last Dance,’ playing Michael Jordan’s quarters game in Chicago before the Sweet 16

Look at that form!

From the hundreds of hours of footage of Michael Jordan’s playing days that made it into ESPN’s The Last Dance, arguably the most amazing clips were those of MJ gambling with pretty much anyone at Bulls games who would partake.

The very best of these moments came from watching Jordan lose his money to United Center security guard John Michael Wozniak in a game of quarters—with the object being to land your coin closest to the wall.

Woz not only took Jordan’s money, but mocked his signature shrug afterwards. It was a ruthless and earned celebration that stood out in the documentary.

It’s also led to a ton of memes and gifs and recreations. The latest of which came from Providence head coach Ed Cooley.

With the Friars in Chicago to take on the Kansas Jayhawks in the Sweet 16, Cooley pulled up a chair in the bowels of the United Center and starting tossing some coins at the wall, looking to make a quick buck.

Just like Woz before him, the coach proved successful.

It’s a good thing Jordan wasn’t roaming the hallways at the time. We all know he would’ve taken this personally.

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St. Louis Blues at Chicago Blackhawks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Blues at Blackhawks NHL matchup, with NHL betting odds, picks and best bets

The Chicago Blackhawks (31-29-8) host the defending champ and rival St. Louis Blues (40-18-10) at United Center at 7:30 p.m. ET Sunday (on NBCSN). We analyze the Blues-Blackhawks sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

Blues at Blackhawks: Projected starting goalies

Jake Allen vs. Malcolm Subban

Allen is 10-6-3 with a 2.31 goals-against average and .922 save percentage this season as the backup to Jordan Binnington. Allen posted a 38-save shutout in Chicago on Dec. 2, his only one of the season. Binnington has posted a 30-12-7 record with a 2.57 GAA and .911 SV% in 49 starts. He continues to do a tremendous job, as the defending champs look poised for another lengthy postseason run. While he is 2-0-0 against the Blackhawks this season, he also has a dismal 4.01 GAA and .846 SV% against them, so that’s why he’ll likely get a break.

Subban might get a shot after Corey Crawford was a bit shaky in his most recent outing. While it might be quite the tall order for what would be Subban’s first start with the team following his trade from Vegas, he did beat the Blues 6-5 in overtime Feb. 13. Crawford is 0-3-0 with a 4.77 GAA and .867 SV% in three starts against the Blues this season.

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

Blues at Blackhawks: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Sunday at 2 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Blues 5, Blackhawks 3

Moneyline (ML)

The BLUES (-139) are a good bet regardless of whether the Blackhawks (+115) give Crawford or Subban the nod. St. Louis has been getting the better goaltending overall this season. The Blues are also 8-1 in their past nine games overall and 7-1 in the past eight as a favorite. The favorite is also 5-1 in the past six meetings in this rivalry, too.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager for the Blues to win in regulation, overtime or a shootout would profit $7.20 if they do so.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

BLUES (-1.5, +185) is a nice small-unit play, as you can profit almost double your initial investment. While the home team is 6-1 in the past seven in this series and the Blues are 4-8-2 in their past 14 on the road, St. Louis is overall the better team with much more depth on offense and in the crease.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 5.5 (-150) is the best bet in this rivalry game, though the vig jumped from -110 to -150 from Sunday morning to afternoon. The Over is 7-3-1 in the past 11 battles in Chicago, and 15-6-5 in the previous 26 installments in this series. The Over is also 10-4-1 in the past 15 divisional games for St. Louis, while going 7-2 in the past nine for Chicago and 11-4 in the past 15 in which Chicago plays a team with a winning record.

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

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI 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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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.

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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Washington Wizards at Chicago Bulls odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Washington Wizards at Chicago Bulls sports betting odds, with NBA matchup analysis and picks.

The Washington Wizards (20-34) hit the road to battle the Chicago Bulls (19-38) Sunday at 7 p.m. ET at United Center. We analyze the Wizards-Bulls sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.

Wizards at Bulls: Key injuries

Wizards

  • PG John Wall (Achilles) out

Bulls

  • C Wendell Carter Jr. (knee) questionable
  • PG Kris Dunn (knee) out
  • SF Chandler Hutchison (shoulder) doubtful
  • PF Luke Kornet (ankle) doubtful
  • PF Lauri Markkanen (pelvis) out
  • SF Otto Porter Jr. (foot) out
  • PG Max Strus (knee) out
  • SG Denzel Valentine (hamstring) out

Wizards 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 10:30 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Wizards 123, Bulls 116

Moneyline (ML)

The Wizards (-134) are slight favorites on the road, and looking to recover after a disappointing loss last time out. They were upended by the Cleveland Cavaliers 113-108 at home Friday, so expect them to come out angry in this one. Chicago (+110) ranks 24th in the NBA in defensive field-goal percentage at 47.5%, so Washington should bounce back nicely. The Wizards are 5-1 ATS in the past six after a straight-up loss, and 4-1 ATS in the past five after a non-cover.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Wizards to win returns a profit of just $7.46.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The WIZARDS (-2.5, -106) are the play here, unless you’d rather bet the ML with a little more juice and not worry about having Washington win by at least 3 points. The Bulls (+2.5, -115) just have too many injuries.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 229.5 (-110) is the trend for the Wiz, going 5-1 in the past six road games, while going 12-5 in the past 17 on the road against teams with a home winning percentage under .400. The Over is 8-2 in the past 10 overall for the Bulls, too. The Over is also 11-4-1 in the previous 16 head-to-head meetings in the Windy City.

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

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI 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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Charlotte Hornets at Chicago Bulls odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Thursday’s Charlotte Hornets at Chicago Bulls sports betting odds and lines, with NBA matchup analysis, picks and best bets.

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.

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

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).

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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All-Star Sunday: The best pictures

All-Star Sunday: The best pictures

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All-Star Saturday: The best pictures

All-Star Saturday: The best pictures

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All-Star Friday: The best pictures

All-Star Friday: The best pictures

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