Tag: United Center

New Orleans Pelicans at Chicago Bulls odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Thursday’s New Orleans Pelicans at Chicago Bulls sports betting odds, with NBA matchup analysis and picks.

The New Orleans Pelicans (20-31) visit the Windy City to play the Chicago Bulls (19-33) in the United Center at 8:00 p.m. ET. We analyze Pelicans-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.

Pelicans at Bulls: Key injuries

PELICANS

  • PF Zion Williamson (toe) probable
  • SG Nickeil Alexander-Walker (illness) probable
  • SG Kenrich Williams (back) out
  • SF Darius Miller (Achilles’) out

BULLS

  • PG Tomas Satoransky (ankle) probable
  • SG Chandler Hutchison (shoulder) probable
  • PG Ryan Arcidiacono (elbow) probable
  • PF Daniel Gafford (ankle) doubtful
  • SG Denzel Valentine (hamstring) doubtful
  • PG Kris Dunn (knee) out
  • SF Otto Porter Jr. (foot) out
  • PF Lauri Markkanen (pelvis) out
  • C Wendell Carter Jr. (ankle) out

Pelicans 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 12:30 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Pelicans 122, Bulls 104

Moneyline (ML)

The Pelicans and the Bulls have struggled recently. New Orleans lost back-to-back games to the Milwaukee Bucks and Houston Rockets, and Chicago has lost three straight games to the Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets and Indiana Pacers. But the Pelicans are only six games back from the eighth seed, in a competitive West, and that makes this game against the Bulls sort of a must-win for New Orleans. The good news for the Pelicans is that they are catching the Bulls at the right time. Over the past 10 games, Chicago is 4-6 overall, and their opponents have the highest field-goal percentage and fourth-highest three-point percentage. 

Needless to say, we aren’t betting the Bulls +165, but I’m also not betting Pelicans -200 at that price point under the personal rule of never laying more than -160 in a NBA regular season game. PASS ON THE MONEYLINE.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

HAMMER THE PELICANS -4.5 (-115). Between the Bulls’ recent performance, injury report and a motivated Pelicans team, New Orleans should crush Chicago on Thursday night. The Pelicans have won five straight against the Bulls and are 8-1 against the spread in the last nine meetings in Chicago. Also, New Orleans is 8-4 ATS against below .500 teams on the road and are 4-0 ATS in their last four road games versus a team with a losing home record. 

Over/Under (O/U)

Keeping in mind the Bulls’ defensive issues lately, you also have to factor in the recent offensive prowess of the Pelicans when handicapping the total in this game. New Orleans has scored the second-most points per game, ninth-highest three-point percentage and most free throws attempted over their past 10 games. 

However, I recommend PASSING THE TOTAL because I’m handicapping a one-sided affair and, despite the Pelicans’ below-average defense, I am not confident the Bulls can score 100-plus points in this game.

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.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1368]

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.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1368]

Boston Celtics at Chicago Bulls odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Boston Celtics at Chicago Bulls sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Boston Celtics (24-8) visit the Windy City to play the Chicago Bulls (13-22) at United Center for an 8 p.m. ET tip-off. We analyze Celtics-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.

Celtics at Bulls: Key injuries

Celtics

  • C Enes Kanter (face) questionable
  • SG Jaylen Brown (illness) questionable
  • C Robert Williams III (hip) out
  • PG Kemba Walker (flu) questionable
  • C Vincent Poirier (finger) out

Bulls

  • C Wendell Carter (ankle) probable
  • PG Ryan Arcidiacono (elbow) probable
  • SF Otto Porter Jr. (foot) out
  • SG Zach LaVine (ankle) probable
  • SG Max Strus (knee) out

Celtics 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 12 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Celtics 105, Bulls 97

Moneyline (ML)

We have a rare opportunity to back a moneyline favorite in a regular-season NBA game! Boston has won and covered the spread in eight of its last 10 meetings, including six double-digit victories. The Celtics also crush teams below .500 (17-2 record).

Take the CELTICS (-121) because Boston has dominated Chicago of late.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Boston has the second-best against the spread record in the NBA (19-11-2), and are even stronger ATS on the road (10-5-1). On the other side, the Bulls really struggle as home favorites (3-7 record) with a minus-12.1 margin of victory and they don’t have the talent on the roster to overcome the loss of their defensive anchor, in Carter, should he miss Saturday’s game.

Bet CELTICS (-2.5, +105).

Over/Under (O/U)

Bet UNDER 207.5 (+105).

Expect the Celtics defense to stymie the Bulls offense. Boston is ranked first in opponents’ points per game (103.7) and third in defensive rating (104.2), while the Bulls are ranked 24th in PPG (105.7) and 29th in offensive rating (104.5). Also, the Bulls can play some defense—ranked sixth in defensive rating (105.6), fourth in opponents’ 3-point percentage (.333) and their opponents have the highest turnover percentage in the NBA (16.1%).

Furthermore, monitor the injury report because if Walker and Kanter don’t suit up there may be a lull in the Celtics offense. The combined Over/Under record of these teams is 29-38. Don’t be scared of the low total, be encouraged.

New to sports betting? Bet $100 on the Under to earn a profit of $105.

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.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1368]

Arizona Coyotes at Chicago Blackhawks odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Arizona Coyotes at Chicago Blackhawks sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips

The Arizona Coyotes (17-10-4) and Chicago Blackhawks (12-12-5) tangle at United Center on Sunday at 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Coyotes-Blackhawks sports betting odds and lines, with NHL matchup analysis, picks and tips.

Coyotes at Blackhawks: Projected starting goalies

Darcy Kuemper vs. Robin Lehner

Kuemper is 12-6-2 with a 1.92 goals against average and a .937 save percentage. Kuemper is on a two-game win streak, stopping 61 of 64 shots in road wins at the Philadelphia Flyers (Thursday) and the Columbus Blue Jackets (Tuesday).

Lehner is 6-5-3 with a 2.71 GAA and a .929 SV%. Corey Crawford’s backup snapped a three-game personal skid by stopping 37 of 40 shots in a 3-2 OT win at the Boston Bruins Thursday.

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

Coyotes 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 at 1:35 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Blackhawks 3, Coyotes 2

Moneyline (ML)

The BLACKHAWKS (-115) are the play here, even though the Coyotes (-106) have been the better team overall this season as they jockey for position atop the Pacific Division with the Edmonton Oilers. Arizona is playing the third game in four days, and it’s 0-4 in the third game of a 3-in-4 situation. The Coyotes should have heavy legs in this one. Plus, ‘Zona is 3-10 in the past 13 meetings and 1-5 in the past six trips to the Windy City.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

This should be a tight game, and if Chicago comes away with the win, it will likely be in overtime or a shootout. The BLACKHAWKS are worth a small-unit play at -1.5, +225, however, as that’s a really nice value for a home team.

New to sports betting? Every $1 wagered that the Blackhawks win by 2 goals or more would profit $2.25 if they do so.

Over/Under (O/U)

The UNDER 5.5 (-115) has been the dominant trend. The Under is 19-7-1 in Arizona’s past 27 on the road, and 9-4 in the past 13 overall. The Under is 5-1 in Chicago’s past six at home, and 7-3 in the past 10 overall.

Every $1.15 wagered that the combined goals scored are 5 or less would profit $1 if the Under hits.

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.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1369]