Sean Barnard gives his breakdown and pick for the Chicago Bulls vs. Memphis Grizzlies Saturday night matchup.

Tipping off as part of today’s five-game NBA slate, the Chicago Bulls will be taking on the Memphis Grizzlies.

This is the second and final matchup between these two cross-conference opponents this season. They faced off just under two weeks ago, with the Bulls picking up a 132-107 win on March 16th.

Looking at the odds for tonight, the Bulls are 4.5-point favorites and hold -180 odds of winning outright on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Grizzlies hold +150 odds of pulling off the upset, with the game total set at 246.5 points.

Bulls vs. Grizzlies preview

The Chicago Bulls have slipped to 12th place in the Eastern Conference with a 29-44 record on the year. They enter this matchup having lost four of their past five. On the season, Chicago has gone 35-38 against the spread, and the game total has remained under in 38 of the 73 games played.

Chicago made some noteworthy roster changes at the midpoint of the season and has turned a page to a new youth movement. But injuries remain a factor as Zach Collins, Jaden Ivey, Anfernee Simons, Noa Essengue, Jalen Smith, and Guerschon Yabusele will each be sidelined tonight. Josh Giddey headlines the production of the available players, posting averages of 17.4 points, 9.2 assists and 8.3 rebounds per game. Collin Sexton is adding 16.5 points, 2.4 assists and 2.4 rebounds across his first 17 games with the team, while Matas Buzelis has shown signs of promise with 16.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game this season. Rob Dillingham, Isaac Okoro, Tre Jones and Leonard Miller also play notable roles.

Billy Donovan’s squad is scoring 116.3 points per game this season, which ranks 13th in the NBA. Chicago also ranks 24th in offensive rating, 15th in field goal percentage, ninth in three-point percentage, and second in pace. Defensively, opponents are scoring 120.9 points per game against the Bulls, which ranks 27th in the league. They also rank 23rd in defensive rating, 20th in opponent field goal percentage, and 24th in opponent three-point percentage.

The Memphis Grizzlies sit in 12th place in the Western Conference with a 24-49 record this season. Despite making the playoffs in four of the past five years, Memphis pulled the plug on this iteration of its roster with the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade at the deadline the headline of this. Injuries have worsened this outlook, and the Grizzlies have lost 13 of their last 14 and enter this game on a five-game losing skid. On the season, Memphis has gone 34-39 against the spread, and the game total has remained under in 38 of the 73 games played.

The Grizzlies continue to be bothered by injuries, which have limited their outlook in a major way. Ja Morant, Zach Edey, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Jaylen Wells, Santi Aldama, Brandon Clarke, Scotty Pippen Jr., and Ty Jerome will all remain sidelined tonight. Cam Spencer is considered doubtful with lower back soreness, Taj Gibson is doubtful with right foot soreness, while Walter Clayton Jr., Taylor Hendricks, and Jahmai Mashack are each questionable. Memphis has kicked off a youth movement and is sorting through which players are the foundation of the future. Cedric Coward, GG Jackson, Taylor Hendricks, and Olivier-Maxence Prosper will continue their auditions.

Memphis ranks 19th in the league in scoring, averaging 115.0 points per game. The Grizzlies also rank 23rd in offensive rating, 26th in field goal percentage, and 19th in three-point percentage. Defensively, opponents are scoring 119.1 points per game against the Grizzlies, which ranks 24th in the league. They also rank 21st in defensive rating, 24th in opponent field goal percentage, and 21st in opponent three-point percentage.

Bulls vs. Grizzlies prediction, pick

Neither of these teams have had the season they desire and each will have some big-picture questions to address this summer. But the show goes on, and each side will need to put their best effort on the floor. While the organizational goals may be out of reach, each player is working to cement their long-term standing on their respective team and in the league, so don’t expect a slippage in effort.

During the first matchup between these two teams, the Bulls picked up a 132-107 win. Chicago led for 80% of the contest, shot 52% from the floor, and out-rebounded Memphis 47-37. My lean would be the Bulls showcasing more top-end talent and covering the 4.5-point spread again tonight.

However, I am backing the game total to go over the 246.5 point line in this matchup. Both these teams have some massive defensive holes that each will look to exploit. Each team also ranks top seven in the league in pace and has plenty of guards that are eager to get out in transition. The game total finished at 239 in the first matchup between these two teams, even despite the Grizzlies having some shooting struggles and no individual player scoring more than 17 points. Memphis was limited to just 21 points in the fourth quarter to cement the total finishing just short in this game.

Since this point, the Bulls have been gashed for 131 points by the Thunder in the previous game, 157 points by the 76ers before this, and 139 points by the Raptors across this stretch. Chicago ranks 27th in opponent points allowed and has given up 120+ points in 40 games this year. Expect those defensive issues to pave the way to a healthy scoring total for Memphis.

Count on both these teams getting up and down the floor and for plenty of this game to be played in transition. The game total has gone over in three straight games for the Bulls, and seven of their last 10 at that. For the Grizzlies, the game total has gone over in seven of their last 13, and they have allowed 119+ in 11 of their last 13. If you like defense, this probably is not the matchup for you. Lace up the tack shoes and count on both these teams putting up a healthy scoring total for the score to finish above the 246.5 line.

Best Bet: Game Total Over 246.5 (-110)