Playoff Positioning on the line for Bulls, Cavs
Things have not gone the way the Chicago Bulls planned, yet they are still ninth in the Eastern Conference and have room to improve to either host a play-in game or avoid the tournament altogether.
First, they will try to avoid a season sweep when they visit the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are coming off a win Friday at the New Orleans Pelicans. Though the NBA betting odds like their chances.
Let’s check the latest NBA news, stats, injury report and NBA lines for Bulls vs Cavaliers. We’ve got plenty of NBA picks for you to consider.
Bulls Hope to Avoid Dreadful Weekend
The Chicago Bulls are hoping to avoid a potential third loss in five days. They are a far cry from a season ago when they were atop the Eastern Conference for much of the first half.
Defense and rebounding have been an issue for the Bulls. They are 16th in allowing 113.9 points per game and are 11th in allowing teams to convert 47.1% of field goal attempts and 35.4% of 3-point shots. They are 16th in allowing 43.6 rebounds per game.
On the offensive end, the Bulls are 17th in scoring 114.2 points per game but are fifth in making 49.0% of field goal attempts, 13th in converting 36.2% of 3-point shots, and fifth with an 81.1% rate at the free throw line. They are 19th with 42.8 rebounds per game.
The Bulls are 28-25-2 against the spread and 24-30-1 on over/unders, and are 10-18 straight up on the road. They await the NBA season debut of point guard Lonzo Ball while regular starters and rotation players Patrick Williams, DeMar DeRozan, and Alex Caruso are all probable.
Cavs Seek season Sweep
The Cleveland Cavaliers have won five straight games and have charged to fourth in the East. They look to sweep the season series from the Bulls.
The Cavs play at a dramatically slow pace, which is why they are 26th in scoring at 111.9 points per game but sixth in offensive efficiency at 48.8% on field goal attempts. They are 11th in making 36.7% on 3-point shots, 19th in making 77.6% of free throws, and 22nd in grabbing 42.2 rebounds per game.
Defensively, they are first in allowing 106.2 points per game and 40.2 rebounds per game. The Cavs rank fifth in holding teams to 46.4% on field goal attempts and 21st at 36.5% on 3-point shots.
While not quite the best of NBA free picks, they are money at home with a 23-6 record. Cleveland is 30-24-3 against the spread and 25-32 on over/unders. Veteran guard Ricky Rubio is questionable.
Bulls vs Cavaliers Game Injuries
Bulls vs Cavaliers Head-to-Head
Scores and odds show the Cavs have won three straight and are 2-0-1 against the spread in that time. The over is 2-1 in those games. It snapped a streak of three straight wins by the Bulls.
The Bulls are 19-7 against the spread in their last 26 meetings in Cleveland, where the over is 8-3 in the last 11 games.
Bulls vs Cavaliers Game Information
- Game: Bulls (26-29) vs Cavaliers (36-22)
- Location: Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse
- Day/Time: Saturday, 8 p.m. ET
- Bulls vs Cavaliers Live Stream: NBA Game Pass
Bulls vs Cavaliers Betting Lines
Bulls vs Cavaliers Picks & Prediction
The Las Vegas NBA odds like the Cleveland Cavaliers despite playing in the second game of a back-to-back. Only one of the three matchups with the Chicago Bulls has been decided by less than 10 points, and it wasn’t the game that went to overtime.
Adding Donovan Mitchell alongside Darius Garland has formed one of the best backcourts in the league. The Cavs have some of the best depth in the league, with Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley in the frontcourt, Caris LeVert, Cedi Osman, and Isaac Okoro on the wings, and veterans Kevin Love (forward) and Rubio (guard).
A blowout on Friday allowed the regulars to get some additional rest before traveling back to Cleveland. The Bulls will need to make their limited chances count in a game where the under is attractive. But that is a tough ask, so we’ll take the Cavaliers despite their travel and rest circumstances.
The Chicago Bulls are listed at +180 in our Vegas Lines. This means that if you wager $100 on the Bulls, you have a chance to win $180. The Cleveland Cavaliers are -220, offering a chance to win $45.
The implied probability attached to the betting lines give the Bulls a 35.71% chance to win, with the Cavaliers at 68.75%.
Bulls vs Cavaliers Trends
Bulls vs Cavaliers Edge
Bulls vs Cavaliers Results
Bulls vs Cavaliers Game Summary
Cavaliers vs Bulls Previous Game (Jan. 02 2023)
Following the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 103-102 win on New Year’s Eve against the Chicago Bulls, the two meet again on Monday night. This time Cleveland (23-14) will be at home, where it is 16-4. Chicago (16-20) has been decent on the road at 7-11.
Over the last four games, the Cavaliers have hit a rough stretch going 1-3 and 0-3-1 against the spread (ATS). Meanwhile, the Bulls are 2-1 and 2-0-1 ATS in their last three games. Will Cleveland control the pace of the game with stingy defense once again, or will Chicago’s talented scorers find success?
