New Orleans Pelicans at Chicago Bulls Predictions, Picks, Odds, and Line Movement for December 31 2025
Pelicans vs Bulls picks highlight a rematch that comes at a very different point in the season for both teams, with injuries and recent form reshaping the handicap. I am breaking down New Orleans vs Chicago predictions by focusing on matchup-specific efficiency and current roster availability as part of my latest NBA picks.
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Quick Picks and Prediction
- Spread Pick: Pelicans -1
- Total Pick: Under 247
- Projected Final Score: Pelicans 121, Bulls 118
Odds and Line Movement
Opening Odds
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Tony Karpinski | +2,976.00 |
| 2 |  Joe Duffy | +2,595.00 |
| 3 |  The Insiders Room | +2,320.00 |
| 4 |  Mark Ruelle | +1,627.00 |
| 5 |  Jackie Mack | +1,451.00 |
| Team | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans | -1.5 (-108) | Over 247 (-110) |
| Chicago | +1.5 (-112) | Under 247 (-110) |
Current Odds
| Team | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Pelicans | -1 (-110) | Over 247.5 (-110) |
| Bulls | +1 (-110) | Under 247.5 (-110) |
Line Movement - Spread
| Date | Time | New Orleans | Chicago |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12/31 | 07:28 AM | -1 (-110) | +1 (-110) |
| 12/31 | 01:03 AM | -1 (-110) | +1 (-110) |
| 12/30 | 11:27 PM | -1 (-105) | +1 (-115) |
| 12/30 | 11:17 PM | -1 (-108) | +1 (-112) |
| 12/30 | 07:22 PM | -1.5 (-108) | +1.5 (-112) |
| 12/30 | 06:50 PM | -1.5 (-106) | +1.5 (-114) |
Line Movement - Total
| Date | Time | Over | Under |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12/31 | 07:56 AM | 247.5 (-110) | 247.5 (-110) |
| 12/31 | 01:03 AM | 246.5 (-106) | 246.5 (-114) |
| 12/31 | 01:03 AM | 246.5 (-108) | 246.5 (-112) |
| 12/30 | 11:17 PM | 245.5 (-114) | 245.5 (-106) |
| 12/30 | 10:12 PM | 243.5 (-114) | 243.5 (-106) |
| 12/30 | 09:21 PM | 244.5 (-114) | 244.5 (-106) |
Pelicans vs Bulls Key Matchups and Handicap
New Orleans has quietly owned this matchup, winning and covering four straight meetings with Chicago. That includes a 114-104 road win on December 14, where the Pelicans dictated terms defensively and forced the Bulls into one of their worst shooting performances of the season.
Chicago struggled mightily in the interior during that contest, with Nikola Vucevic, Matas Buzelis and Isaac Okoro combining to shoot just 10-of-31 from the field. New Orleans held the Bulls to 41.3 percent shooting overall and 26.5 percent from three-point range, a blueprint that still applies given Chicago’s current injury situation.
Both teams enter on equal rest, but their trajectories are very different. New Orleans has dropped four straight games since that win in Chicago, including a narrow five-point home loss to the Knicks. Chicago has also cooled off, losing back-to-back home games to the Bucks and Timberwolves, and the Bulls are now severely undermanned across the roster.
With Chicago missing multiple ball handlers and scorers, offensive efficiency becomes a major concern. That shifts more responsibility onto role players and shortens rotations, which typically favors a disciplined defensive team like New Orleans, even with key absences of its own.
Betting Trends (NO vs CHI)
- New Orleans has won and covered four straight meetings against Chicago.
- The Pelicans held the Bulls below 42 percent shooting in their most recent matchup.
- Chicago has lost back-to-back home games entering this contest.
- The total has climbed from the low 243 range to the mid 247 range.
Key Injuries and Notes (NO vs CHI)
- NO: Herbert Jones is out.
- NO: Dejounte Murray is out.
- CHI: Josh Giddey is out.
- CHI: Coby White is out.
- CHI: Zach Collins is out.
- CHI: Emanuel Miller, Lachlan Olbrich and Trentyn Flowers are out.
ATS and Total Picks
- ATS: Pelicans -1
- Total: Under 247
Final Score Prediction
Pelicans 121, Bulls 118
How to Bet
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