The Chicago Bulls and Oklahoma City Thunder meet Friday in NBA action at the Paycom Center. Here’s a Thunder vs. Bulls Prediction. This article will include a Thunder vs. Bulls Pick.
Chicago Bulls Betting Preview
The Chicago Bulls lost to the 76ers, beat the Rockets and play the Grizzlies next. The Bulls have lost 11 of their last 16 games.
The Chicago Bulls are averaging 115.8 points on 46.9 percent shooting and allowing 120.2 points on 47.4 percent shooting. Josh Giddey is averaging 17.6 points and 8.3 rebounds, while Collin Sexton is averaging 15.5 points and 2.3 assists. Anfernee Simons is the third double-digit scorer, and Matas Buzelis is grabbing 5.4 rebounds. The Chicago Bulls are shooting 36.2 percent from beyond the arc and 77.9 percent from the free-throw line. The Chicago Bulls are allowing 36.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 45 rebounds per game.
Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview
The Oklahoma City Thunder beat the 76ers, lost to the Celtics, and then will play the Knicks next. The Thunder have won 17 of their last 20 games.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are averaging 118.7 points on 48.1 percent shooting and allowing 107.5 points on 43.4 percent shooting. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 31.6 points and 6.6 assists, while Jalen Williams is averaging 17.5 points and 4.7 rebounds. Chet Holmgren is the third double-digit scorer, and Ajay Mitchell is grabbing 3.5 rebounds. The Oklahoma City Thunder are shooting 36 percent from beyond the arc and 82 percent from the free throw line. The Oklahoma City Thunder are allowing 36.5 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 44.1 rebounds per game.
Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win
- The Thunder have won each of their last 17 home games against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The Bulls have lost each of their last six games against Thunder teams that held a winning record.
- The Thunder have covered the spread in seven of their last eight games against the Bulls.
- The Bulls have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games at Paycom Center.
Why the Chicago Bulls will win
- The Bulls have won three of their last four games as underdogs against Western Conference opponents following a loss.
- The Thunder have lost three of their last four games as home favorites following a road loss.
- The Bulls have covered the spread in each of their last seven games following a loss.
- The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four night games at Paycom Center.
Total Points: Facts
- Each of the Bulls’ last five games against the Thunder following a road loss has gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Thunder’s last four games against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone OVER the total points line.
Oklahoma City Thunder Player Facts
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the only player in the league to have recorded 15+ assists without a turnover in a game this season.
- Cason Wallace ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for steals per game (2.0) this season.
Chicago Bulls Player Facts
- Josh Giddey has recorded 10+ assists in three consecutive appearances—the equal-longest active streak of any player in the league.
- Tre Jones ranks 2nd amongst qualified Guards for FG% (54.2%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Thunder rank 1st in the league for point differential per game this season (+11.0).
- The Thunder rank 1st in the league for opponent field goal percentage this season (43.5%).
- The Bulls rank 29th in the league for opponent field goal attempts per game this season (93.4).
- The Bulls rank 29th in the league for Q3 opponent points per game this season (31.6).
Thunder vs Bulls Injury Report
The Thunder will be without Thomas Sorber.
The Bulls will be without Noa Essengue, Anfernee Simons, Jaden Ivey, Isaac Okoro, and Zach Collins.
Thunder vs Bulls Prediction
The Bulls have been losing games and losing players to injuries since February and it just hasn’t stopped. The Thunder are at home, pretty much at full strength, and they’re in revenge mode after that loss to the Celtics. I get it. However, this is a lot of points for an OKC team that’s 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games and 34-38-1 ATS on the season. I keep saying that these Thunder aren’t the cover machines they’ve been the past two seasons. Oddsmakers have adjusted, the public has pounced, and these inflated lines just can’t keep up. Since January 4, the Thunder are 4-12 ATS as a double-digit favorite and have outright lost 6 of those games. Give me the points with the Bulls.