New Orleans Pelicans vs Chicago Bulls
October 4, 2022 9:30 pm EDT
The Line: Chicago Bulls -1.5 / New Orleans Pelicans +1.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The New Orleans Pelicans and Chicago Bulls meet Tuesday in preseason NBA action at the United Center. The New Orleans Pelicans have won 8 of their last 11 preseason games. The Chicago Bulls have won 7 straight preseason games.
The New Orleans Pelicans won 36 games last year and enter the second season under coach Willie Green. The Pelicans have to be thinking deep playoff run this season as Brandon Ingram has taken that next step in his career, they get a full season of CJ McCollum and Zion Williamson returns. Throw in Jonas Valanciunas at center and the Pelicans have a nice starting five that can hang with any in the league. The question is depth, as Jose Alvarado stepped up in the playoffs last season, but is still a bit of a mystery. Devonte’ Graham shows flashes, but has never quite put it all together. Larry Nance Jr. is a journeyman for a reason and Jaxson Hayes is still raw at 22 years old. The Pelicans have sleeper potential, but they’ll need their role players to step up.
The Chicago Bulls won 46 games last year and enter the third season under coach Billy Donovan. The Bulls have one of the best trios in the East in Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic. Alex Caruso is healthy and ready to go, and the addition of Goran Dragic provides depth at point guard with championship experience. On paper, the Bulls are a solid team that can make noise in the East. However, the return of Lonzo Ball will be crucial, and after knee surgery there’s no guarantee he’ll be ready to play at any point in the season despite optimism. Second year guard Ayo Dosunmu will be thrown into the fire a lot this year, and it’s crucial he takes that next step.
The Pelicans are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games overall. The Bulls are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 home games and 8-19 ATS in their last 27 games overall. The over is 4-1 in Pelicans last 5 overall. The under is 20-8 in Bulls last 28 overall. The Pelicans are 9-3 ATS in the last 12 meetings in Chicago.
This should be a fun preseason game between two conference contenders, and honestly I don’t have a strong feel either way. With that said, the Chicago Bulls have had lots of success in preseason games the last two years, and they get the edge at home. We’re only be asked to lay a bucket. I’ll take a shot with the Bulls.
