The Chicago Bulls (11-15) and Cleveland Cavaliers (15-13) meet Friday at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Bulls vs. Cavaliers odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Tied 1-1
The Bulls topped the Cavaliers 127-111 as 5.5-point underdogs Wednesday in Chicago as the Under (243.5) cashed, and now the teams have a rematch in the second end of the home-and-home. Cavs G Donovan Mitchell scored 32 points in a losing effort, while Bulls G Josh Giddey had 23 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists for the triple-double, and G Tre Jones came off the bench for 11 points and 11 assists in just 24 minutes.
After a 7-game skid from Nov. 24-Dec. 7, Chicago has won 2 of the past 3 games, while scoring 127+ points the victories. The Under is still 5-1 in the past 6 games.
Cleveland has dropped 3 of the past 4 games, while going 0-4 against the spread (ATS). The Under is 3-1 in the 4-game slide, too. Cleveland has been one of the worst teams in the NBA against the number, going just 8-20 ATS this season.
Bulls at Cavaliers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last update at 6:31 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Bulls +240 (bet $100 to win $240) | Cavaliers -300 (bet $300 to win $100)Against the spread: Bulls +7.5 (-115) | Cavaliers -7.5 (-105)Over/Under (O/U): 240.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Bulls at Cavaliers key injuries
Bulls
C Zach Collins (wrist) probableG Ayo Dosunmu (thumb) questionableG Tre Jones (hamstring) questionable
Cavaliers
G Sam Merrill (hand) outG Donovan Mitchell (illness) questionableF/C Evan Mobley (calf) outF Larry Nance Jr. (calf) outF Max Strus (foot) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Bulls at Cavaliers picks and predictionsPrediction
Cavaliers 119, Bulls 116
Playing Cavaliers (-300) is extremely risky behavior considering they were just blown out in Chicago in the front-end of the home-and-home set.
But, it’s even worse because Cleveland’s Mitchell is under the weather, and he carries a questionable tag into the game. He went off, and the Cavs still lost Wednesday. Imagine how poorly they’ll fare if Spida cannot play.
PASS for a straight up bet.
The BULLS +7.5 (-115) are worth a look catching more than 3 buckets.
Chicago blasted Cleveland in Wednesday’s game, and while a change of venue should help the struggling Cavs, all of that is out the window if Mitchell is sick.
Here’s the deal: If Mitchell can go, play Chicago lightly still, but if he is ruled out, and you can still hurry up and get in on these points, load up.
The UNDER 240.5 (-110) is the best play on the board in this rivalry game.
The Under has dominated for Chicago lately, going 5-1 in the past 6 games. The total has gone low in 3 of the past 4 games for Cleveland, too, including Wednesday’s loss at United Center. The Under is 9-1 in the past 10 home games for the Cavs, as well.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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