New Orleans Pelicans vs Chicago Bulls
October 8, 2021 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: Chicago Bulls -5.5 / New Orleans Pelicans +5.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The New Orleans Pelicans and Chicago Bulls meet Friday in NBA preseason action at the United Center. The New Orleans Pelicans look for a win after splitting their first two preseason games. The Chicago Bulls look for another preseason win after smoking the Cavaliers in their opener.
The New Orleans Pelicans have won eight of their last nine preseason games. The New Orleans Pelicans are averaging 109 points on 40 percent shooting and allowing 101.5 points on 41.1 percent shooting. Nickeil Alexander-Walker is averaging 20.5 points and two rebounds while Trey Murphy III is averaging 20.5 points and six rebounds. Brandon Ingram is the third double-digit scorer and Jonas Valanciunas is grabbing nine rebounds. The New Orleans Pelicans are shooting 41.7 percent from beyond the arc and 74.4 percent from the free throw line. The New Orleans Pelicans are allowing 32.5 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 53 rebounds per game.
The Chicago Bulls have won four straight preseason games. The Chicago Bulls are averaging 131 points on 46.8 percent shooting and allowing 95 points on 35.7 percent shooting. Zach LaVine is averaging 25 points and three assists while DeMar DeRozan is averaging 13 points and four rebounds. Javonte Green is the third double-digit scorer and Troy Brown Jr. is dishing two assists. The Chicago Bulls are shooting 43.2 percent from beyond the arc and 72.2 percent from the free throw line. The Chicago Bulls are allowing 30.3 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 57 rebounds per game.
The Pelicans are 11-28-2 ATS in their last 41 Friday games and 7-2 ATS in their last 9 road games. The Bulls are 5-17 ATS in their last 22 Friday games and 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
The New Orleans Pelicans have had great preseason success these last two or three years and are coming off a nice win over the Magic. However, the Bulls have a lot of new pieces in place, the expectations have improved and it seems like they’re willing to play a lot of key guys in hopes of building chemistry. The Bulls were having a lot of fun their first time out. If that continues, the Bulls should improve to 2-0 in the preseason. I’ll back the home team.
