New Orleans Pelicans (8-26) vs. Chicago Bulls (15-17)
December 31, 2025 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Chicago Bulls +1; Over/Under: 244.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Chicago Bulls play host to the New Orleans Pelicans at the United Center on Wednesday night. Here’s a Bulls vs Pelicans Prediction. This article will include a Bulls vs Pelicans Pick.
New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview
The New Orleans Pelicans have been doing it tough, as they’ve lost 11 of their last 16 games overall. They will be hoping to put an end to a four-game slide after getting beaten by the Knicks in a 130-125 loss on Monday. Zion Williamson led the team with 32 points on 11 of 16 shooting, Saddiq Bey and Jordan Poole each scored 26 points while Trey Murphy III chipped in with 21 points on eight of 16 shooting. As a team, the Pelicans shot 46 percent from the field and 14 of 36 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with 41 points in the first quarter. They kept up that pace to take a 10-point lead in the third quarter, but just when it looked like they were going to pull off the upset, the Knicks closed the final 3:36 on a 16-8 run to snatch the game away.
Chicago Bulls Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls were enjoying a nice run of six wins from seven games, but are now hoping to avoid a third straight defeat after getting thrashed by the Timberwolves in a 136-101 loss on Monday. Nikola Vucevic led the team with 23 points on 10 of 17 shooting, Matas Buzelis added 13 points while Jalen Smith chipped in with 12 points off the bench. As a team, the Bulls shot just 41 percent from the field and 13 of 38 from the 3-point line as they did their best to stay within striking distance in the first half. However, it didn’t matter in the end as the Bulls allowed 82 points in the second half to suffer one of their worst defeats of the season so far. Josh Giddey finished with just 11 points in 18 minutes while Coby White finished scoreless and played just seven minutes.
Why the Chicago Bulls will win
- The Pelicans have lost each of their last 13 road games following a loss.
- The underdogs have won seven of the Bulls’ last eight games.
- The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in nine of their last 10 games as road favorites.
- The underdogs have covered the spread in 21 of the Bulls’ last 24 games.
Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win
- The Bulls have lost each of their last six games against Southwest Division opponents.
- The Pelicans have won each of their last four games against the Bulls.
- The Bulls have failed to cover the spread in 11 of their last 12 games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Pelicans have covered the spread in each of their last four games against the Bulls.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Bulls’ last nine home games have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Seven of the Pelicans’ last eight games against the Bulls following a home loss have gone OVER the total points line.
Chicago Bulls Player Facts
- Tre Jones ranks 9th amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (3.7) this season.
- Matas Buzelis rank T13th in the league for total steals + blocks (71) this season.
New Orleans Pelicans Player Facts
- Trey Murphy III ranks T4th amongst qualified players for steals per game (1.7) this season.
- Jordan Poole ranks 5th amongst qualified players for FT% (91.2%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Bulls are one of only two teams to record multiple wins when trailing by a margin of 10+ points through Q3 this season.
- The Bulls rank 29th in the league for H2 opponent points per game this season (61.2).
- The Pelicans rank 30th in the league for opponent three-point field goal attempts per game this season (41.8).
- The Pelicans have recorded the largest comeback win from a HT deficit this season – trailed by 22 points vs Rockets on December 18.
Bulls vs Pelicans Prediction
The Pelicans are still missing a couple of players in Dejounte Murray and Herbert Jones, while the Bulls have ruled out Josh Giddey, Coby White, Zach Collins and Trentyn Flowers to name a few. The Pelicans have gone cold again with four losses in a row, but they were more than competitive in a narrow defeat to the red-hot Knicks on Monday. The Bulls come into this contest as the team in better form, but they are going to be severely depleted for this one with so many starters sitting out injured. The line is basically at a pick ’em so I will happily side with the Pelicans to take advantage of a second string Bulls squad.
