The Charlotte Hornets pay a visit to the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on Tuesday night. Here’s a Bulls vs. Hornets prediction. This article will include a Bulls vs. Hornets pick.
Charlotte Hornets Betting Preview
The Charlotte Hornets have been in great form as they’ve won 11 of their last 14 games overall, and they will be looking to keep it going after blowing past the Wizards in a 129-112 road win on Sunday. LaMelo Ball drained 10 3-pointers to lead the team with 37 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. Kon Knueppel added 28 points with seven rebounds and four assists, while Brandon Miller chipped in with 22 points on eight of 14 shooting. As a team, the Hornets shot 49 percent from the field and 25 of 46 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with 38 points in the first quarter to take a narrow lead into halftime before they caught fire and exploded for 44 points in the third quarter to push the margin out to 29 points at one stage.
Chicago Bulls Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls have been in a major slump as they’ve lost 12 of their last 13 games overall, and they will be hoping to avoid a 10th straight defeat after falling short to the Knicks in a 105-99 loss on Sunday. Matas Buzelis led the team with 15 points; Jalen Smith and Isaac Okoro each scored 12 points, while Guerschon Yabusele chipped in with 11 points and 13 rebounds, but no other player scored more than 10 points. As a team, the Bulls shot just 40 percent from the field and 16 of 46 from the 3-point line as they got off to a decent start and took the lead going into halftime, but that all changed in the third quarter, where the Knicks turned the tide with a pivotal 14-2 run to have the Knicks leading the rest of the way. Josh Giddey had another rough outing as he scored just six points on two of 10 shooting from the field.
Why the Chicago Bulls will win
- The Bulls have won seven of their last eight games as home underdogs against Southeast Division opponents.
- The Hornets have lost each of their last seven games against Central Division opponents following a win.
- The Hornets have failed to cover the spread in 10 of their last 11 games against Bulls teams that held a losing record.
- The Bulls have covered the spread in seven of their last eight games as home underdogs against Southeast Division opponents.
Why the Charlotte Hornets will win
- The Bulls have lost each of their last nine games.
- The Hornets have won each of their last 10 games as favorites.
- The Hornets have covered the spread in each of their last seven road games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Bulls have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine games.
Total Points Facts
- Nine of the Hornets’ last 10 games as favorites against the Bulls have gone OVER the total points line.
- Six of the Bulls’ last seven home games against the Hornets have gone UNDER the total points line.
Chicago Bulls Player Facts
- Matas Buzelis is one of only three qualified players in the league averaging at least 1.5 threes and 1.5 blocks this season.
- Josh Giddey is one of only three players in the league to be leading his team in points, rebounds, and assists this season.
Charlotte Hornets Player Facts
- LaMelo Ball ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for three-pointers made per game (3.5) this season.
- Kon Knueppel ranks 6th amongst qualified players for three-pointers made per game (3.5) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Bulls rank 30th in the league for opponent three-point percentage this season (37.6%).
- The Bulls rank 29th in the league for opponent field goals made per game this season (44.4).
- The Hornets rank 1st in the league for opponent rebounds per game this season (39.4).
- The Hornets rank 30th in the league for steals per game this season (6.8).
Bulls vs Hornets Prediction
The Hornets are still missing Liam McNeeley, but they expect to have Coby White back in action, while the Bulls have ruled out Anfernee Simons, Zach Collins, and Jaden Ivey with Jalen Smith listed as questionable. Here we have a classic case of two teams trending in opposite directions, with the Hornets flying high while the Bulls are mired in their worst slump of the season. The Bulls were able to snag one win from three meetings with the Hornets earlier in the season, but the Hornets won the last meeting by 112-99, and I think we’re in for a similar outcome here. The line is a little hefty, but the Bulls have been terrible defensively, so I have the Hornets running up the score in what should be an easy road win in this matchup.