Minnesota Timberwolves (35-35) vs. Chicago Bulls (31-37)
March 17, 2023 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: Chicago Bulls -2.5; Over/Under: +228
(Get latest betting odds)
The Minnesota Timberwolves and Chicago Bulls meet Friday in NBA action at the United Center. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are averaging 115.5 points on 49.1 percent shooting and allowing 115.6 points on 46.8 percent shooting. Anthony Edwards is averaging 25 points and 6 rebounds, while Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging 20.8 points and 5.3 assists. Rudy Gobert is the third double-digit scorer and Jaden McDaniels is grabbing 3.9 rebounds. The Minnesota Timberwolves are shooting 35.8 percent from beyond the arc and 76 percent from the free throw line. The Minnesota Timberwolves are allowing 37 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 41.5 rebounds per game.
The Chicago Bulls are averaging 113.2 points on 48.9 percent shooting and allowing 112.5 points on 46.8 percent shooting. DeMar DeRozan is averaging 25.1 points and 5.1 assists, while Zach LaVine is averaging 24.9 points and 4.8 rebounds. Nikola Vucevic is the third double-digit scorer and Patrick Williams is grabbing 4.2 rebounds. The Chicago Bulls are shooting 36.3 percent from beyond the arc and 81 percent from the free throw line. The Chicago Bulls are allowing 35.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 42.8 rebounds per game.
The Timberwolves are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games and 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games overall. The Bulls are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 home games and 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall. The under is 7-3 in Timberwolves last 10 overall. The under is 17-7 in Bulls last 24 overall. The Timberwolves are 1-4 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Chicago.
The Chicago Bulls probably should be favored at home, as they need to take advantage of games like this. However, I’m not sure anybody trusts the Bulls in the favorite role against playoff caliber teams. The Bulls are inconsistent as all hell, and you’re never sure what you’re getting from game to game. The Minnesota Timberwolves are a feisty, competitive bunch that loses as underdogs by an average of 1.1 points. I’ll grab the free bucket.
