On Thursday, the Brooklyn Nets will play the Chicago Bulls at United Center, and we have you ready to go with our Nets vs. Bulls prediction. Tip-off from the Windy City is at 8:00 p.m. ET.
This is the second matchup this season between these NBA Eastern Conference opponents. The teams split the games, as Brooklyn won 120-112 on Nov. 1 and Chicago won 128-102 on Dec. 2. The Nets lead the series 6-4 straight-up (6-4 ATS) over the last ten matchups. The under was 6-4 in those games. If you want the Nets vs. Bulls prediction, read on and check out our NBA Predictions to beat the sportsbooks!
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Nets have covered in three of their last four games
Brooklyn (22-43 SU, 34-30-1 ATS, and 28-37 O/U) lost 109-104 to Cleveland on Tuesday. The Nets are 2-8 SU and 5-5 ATS in their last ten games.
The Nets outshot the Cavs on Tuesday but still only managed to cover the spread. Cleveland outrebounded Brooklyn 48-38 and outscored them 52-32 in the paint. The Nets led by as many as 18 points, but couldn't hold off the red-hot Cavaliers, who have won a franchise-record 15 straight games.
SG Cam Thomas paces the Nets in scoring. The LSU product averages 23.8 points and 3.5 dimes per game. A few other Brooklyn players to watch against the Bulls are SF Cameron Johnson (19.0 PPG and 4.1 RPG), G D'Angelo Russell (14.1 PPG and 5.7 APG), and C Nic Claxton (10.1 PPG and 7.4 RPG).
Brooklyn is 26th in the NBA in adjusted NET rating, including 27th in offensive rating and 24th in defensive rating, per Dunks and Threes. The Nets score 105.1 points per game (29th) on 43.9 percent shooting (29th), while their opponents average 111.6 points per game (11th) on 48.0 percent shooting (27th).
Brooklyn Nets Basketball Injury Report: PG D'Angelo Russell (ankle) is questionable to play against Chicago.
Chicago is 8-2 ATS in its last ten
Chicago (27-38 SU, 32-32-1 ATS, and 32-33 O/U) beat Indiana 121-103 on Monday. The Bulls are 5-5 SU and 8-2 ATS in their last ten games.
Chicago enters Thursday's action on a three-game winning streak. The Bulls beat the Pacers by double digits earlier this week, shooting 50 percent from the floor and dominating on the glass (56-39 rebounding advantage). Chicago outscored Indiana 68-48 in the paint.
PG Coby White leads the Bulls in scoring, averaging 19.1 points with 4.5 dimes and 3.5 rebounds per game. A few other Chicago players to watch against the Nets are C Nikola Vucevic (19.0 PPG and 10.3 RPG), SG Josh Giddey (13.8 PPG, 7.7 RPG, and 6.7 APG), and SG Kevin Huerter (8.5 PPG).
Chicago ranks 23rd in the NBA in adjusted NET rating, including 19th in offensive rating and 25th in defensive rating, according to Dunks and Threes. The Bulls score 116.6 points per game (9th) on 46.4 percent shooting (16th), while their opponents average 120.3 points per game (29th) on 47.0 percent shooting (20th).
Chicago Bulls Basketball Injury Report: PG Lonzo Ball (wrist) is questionable to play against Brooklyn.
Best Bets for Brooklyn Nets vs. Chicago Bulls
Full-Game Side Bet
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Who will cover the spread in this NBA matchup? Read more about our Nets vs. Bulls prediction!
Full-Game Total Pick
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Nets vs. Bulls expert pick: The total will be under 227 points!
Chicago is likely to get slowed down by Brooklyn, preventing the total from reaching 227 points. The Nets are the slowest-paced team in the NBA, with slow average offensive and defensive possession lengths. The Bulls are fast-tempo on offense but rank 17th in defensive possession length. The visitors have done a fair job at sticking to their style of play, no matter the opponent or venue. That's especially true against Eastern Conference opponents, as the under is 26-14 in their conference games. The under has also been a winning bet in their road games, including as road underdogs.
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