The Chicago Bulls (17-8) stop by the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse Wednesday for a 7 p.m. ET tip-off against the Cleveland Cavaliers (13-12). Below, we look at the Bulls vs. Cavaliers odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions, and bets.
Chicago has won five of its past six games (5-1 ATS) including four straight over the Charlotte Hornets, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets and Denver Nuggets. The Bulls are 17-8 ATS and 11-14 O/U with the fourth-best net rating.
Cleveland has lost back-to-back games, falling to the Utah Jazz and at the Milwaukee Bucks, following a four-game winning streak. The Cavs are 18-7 ATS and 10-15 O/U with the eighth-best net rating.
The Cavs won and covered two of their three meetings with the Bulls last season and the Under was 2-1 in those contests.
Also see:
Bulls at Cavaliers odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:53 p.m. ET.
Money line: Bulls +133 (bet $100 to win $133) | Cavaliers -165 (bet $165 to win $100) Against the spread (ATS): Bulls +3.5 (-108) | Cavaliers -3.5 (-112) Over/Under (O/U): 211.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)PLAY: Free, daily sports pick’em contests. Play now!
Bulls at Cavaliers key injuries
Bulls
SG Alex Caruso (hamstring) out SF DeMar DeRozan (health and safety protocols) out SF Javonte Green (health and safety protocols) out PG Cody White (health and safety protocols) outCavaliers
NoneBulls at Cavaliers odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Cavaliers 109, Bulls 103
Money line
PASS since I’m on Cleveland laying the points, but the Cavaliers (-165) is a little out of my price range. This feels like the oddsmakers are setting a trap for Bulls bettors.
In fact, the “wiseguys” aren’t falling for the trap and this is a “Pros vs. Joe’s” spot in the betting market. According to Pregame.com, slightly more cash is on Cleveland’s money line whereas way more wagers have been placed on Chicago. Typically, you want to follow the money when it fades the public.
Chicago enters off of four straight impressive victories and is playing a Cleveland team most of the NBA community believes isn’t as good as its record indicates.
Against the spread
BET CAVALIERS -3.5 (-112) for 1 unit because the Bulls lack depth and have several contributors sidelined at the moment. Chicago’s bench scores the second-fewest points per game (PPG) and the Bulls are without three starters including their second-leading scorer.
Also, the Cavs have a unique setup and third-year PG Darius Garland is blossoming into an All-Star. Cleveland has three players in its frontcourt that stand 6-foot-11 or taller, all with different skillsets. Plus, Garland is averaging career highs in PPG, assists per game and effective field-goal shooting.
On top of that, we are seeing some “reverse line movement” toward Cleveland as more money is on Chicago, but the Cavs have been steamed up from a pick ’em on the look-ahead line to the current price. This is just further proof of this being a “trap game.”
Over/Under
PASS since my predicted score aligns perfectly with Tipico Sportsbook‘s projected total, so there’s not a lot of value in my betting this number. If anything, I’d lean to the Under because Chicago is down some serious firepower and Cleveland plays at the 23rd-fastest pace.
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