The Chicago Bulls play host to the Portland Trail Blazers at the United Center on Thursday night. Here’s a Bulls vs. Trail Blazers prediction. This article will include a Bulls vs. Trail Blazers pick.
Portland Trail Blazers Betting Preview
The Portland Trail Blazers have been in decent form lately as they’ve won five of their last eight games overall, but they will be hoping to bounce back in this one after falling just short to the Timberwolves in a 124-121 loss on Tuesday. Jrue Holiday led the team with 22 points on nine of 16 shooting; Jerami Grant added 21 points, while Scoot Henderson provided the spark off the bench with 19 points, six rebounds, and five assists. As a team, the Trail Blazers shot 47 percent from the field and 14 of 35 from the 3-point line but they were always a step behind the Timberwolves, who were led by 34 points from Anthony Edwards and 29 points from Jaden McDaniels. Jerami Grant had an off night as he shot just three of 12 from the field with three turnovers, while Tounami Camara scored just 11 points on five of 14 shooting.
Chicago Bulls Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls have been in terrible form, as they’ve lost 13 of their last 14 games overall and they will be hoping to snap a 10-game losing streak after getting thrashed by the Hornets in a 131-99 loss on Tuesday. Matas Buzelis led the team with 32 points on 13 of 19 shooting; Guerschon Yabusele and Patrick Williams each scored 11 points while Collin Sexton chipped in with 10 points but no other player scored more than eight points. As a team, the Bulls shot just 43 percent from the field and 16 of 40 from the 3-point line as they took the fight to the Hornets at the start of the game to trail by just one point at halftime, only to get completely blown out by 42-16 in the third quarter to see their hard work go to waste.
Why the Chicago Bulls will win
- The Bulls have won seven of their last eight games against the Trail Blazers.
- The Trail Blazers have lost three of their last four games as road favorites against Eastern Conference opponents following a loss.
- The underdogs have covered the spread in each of the last four games between the Trail Blazers and Bulls.
- The Trail Blazers have failed to cover the spread in three of their last four games against Eastern Conference opponents.
Why the Portland Trail Blazers will win
- The Bulls have lost each of their last 10 games.
- The favorites have won each of the Trail Blazers’ last 11 games.
- The Trail Blazers have covered the spread in each of their last 14 road games against Central Division opponents.
- The Bulls have failed to cover the spread in nine of their last 10 games.
Total Points: Facts
- Nine of the Trail Blazers’ last 10 games have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Bulls’ last four home games against Western Conference opponents has gone OVER the total points line.
Chicago Bulls Player Facts
- Josh Giddey is one of only three players in the league to be leading his team in points, rebounds, and assists this season.
- Tre Jones ranks 5th amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (4.4) this season.
Portland Trail Blazers Player Facts
- Donovan Clingan is the only player in the league averaging a double-double while shooting at least 30% from three this season.
- Toumani Camara ranks 35th amongst qualified players for three-pointers made per game (2.6) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Bulls rank 30th in the league for opponent three-point percentage this season (37.7%).
- The Bulls rank 29th in the league for opponent field goals made per game this season (44.4).
- The Trail Blazers rank 30th in the league for opponent steals per game this season (11.1).
- The Trail Blazers rank 30th in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (6.1).
Bulls vs Trail Blazers Prediction
The Trail Blazers are still missing Deni Avdija and Shaedon Sharpe, with Robert Williams III ruled as questionable, while the Bulls have ruled out Zach Collins, Jaden Ivey, Jalen Smith, and Anfernee Simons once again. These teams have already met at the start of the season and it was the Bulls who won by 122-121, but something tells me we’re about to see a different result here. The Trail Blazers have been playing some decent basketball lately and they were somewhat unlucky not to beat the Timberwolves in their last outing, while the Bulls are still mired in their worst slump of the season with a long list of injuries to make things tougher. The Trail Blazers are only slight favorites for this one, so I will back the visitors to get the job done with a win and cover over this slumping Bulls squad.