The Los Angeles Lakers invade the United Center to do battle with the Chicago Bulls on Monday night. Here’s a Bulls vs Lakers Prediction. This article will include a Bulls vs Lakers Pick.
Los Angeles Lakers Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Lakers are starting to get going again as they’ve won three of their past four games and they will be feeling pretty good after outlasting the in-form Mavericks in a 116-110 road win on Saturday. Luka Doncic led the team with 33 points, eight rebounds and 11 assists, LeBron James and Rui Hachimura each scored 17 points while Jake LaRavia chipped in with 13 points. As a team, the Lakers shot 44 percent from the field and 14 of 34 from the 3-point line as they went ice-cold in the third quarter and got outscored by 35-14 to trail by 15 points. Before they flipped a switch and exploded for 37 points in the fourth quarter to run down the Mavericks with time to spare.
Chicago Bulls Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls have been heating up lately as they’ve reeled off five wins from their past six games and they will be gunning for a season-high fifth straight victory after outlasting the Celtics in a 114-111 win on Saturday. Coby White led the team with 22 points and seven assists, Nikola Vucevic tallied 16 points with seven rebounds and six assists while Matas Buzelis chipped in with 14 points with eight rebounds and six assists. As a team, the Bulls shot 51 percent from the field and an efficient 21 of 45 from the 3-point line as they went on a pivotal 13-2 run late in the third quarter to take an eight-point lead. However, they allowed the Celtics back into the contest and needed a clutch shot from Kevin Huerter who drained the game winner with just 1.0 second left on the clock.
Why the Chicago Bulls will win
- The Bulls have won each of their last seven games as home underdogs following a win.
- The Lakers have lost each of their last five games as favorites against Central Division opponents.
- The Bulls have covered the spread in each of their last 10 games as home underdogs following a win.
- The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in 12 of their last 13 games as road favorites against Eastern Conference opponents following a win.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win
- The Bulls have lost 18 of their last 22 home games against Pacific Division opponents that held a winning record.
- The Lakers have won four of their last five road games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The favorites have covered the spread in each of the Lakers’ last five games.
Total Points Facts
- Seven of the last eight games between the Lakers and Bulls have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Lakers’ last four games have gone UNDER the total points line.
Chicago Bulls Player Facts
- Josh Giddey ranks 1st amongst qualified Guards for rebounds per game (8.8) this season.
- Ayo Dosunmu ranks 6th amongst qualified players for 3P% (45.7%) this season.
Los Angeles Lakers Player Facts
- Luka Doncic ranks 1st amongst qualified players for points per game (33.4) this season.
- Deandre Ayton is the only player to have made 10+ field goals without a miss in a game this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Bulls rank 29th in the league for opponent turnovers per game this season (12.5).
- The Bulls rank 29th in the league for Q3 opponent points per game this season (30.8).
- The Lakers rank 1st in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (3.7).
- The Lakers rank 1st in the league for Q4 win percentage this season (70.5%).
Bulls vs Lakers Prediction
The Lakers are keeping an eye on Austin Reaves who is close to a return, while the Bulls have ruled out Zach Collins and Tre Jones once again. Both teams are coming into this meeting with plenty of winning momentum so it’s no surprise to see the line so short in this matchup. The Lakers could have all their players back on the court for this one so I expect to see them open as road favorites, but the Bulls have looked like a different team over their past six games. They would’ve taken plenty of confidence from their gritty win over the red-hot Celtics in their last outing. You can make an argument for either side, but the Bulls are the hotter team right now and I think they can pull off the minor upset in front of their home fans.