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Memphis Grizzlies at Chicago Bulls Game Preview, Odds, Picks & Predictions

Top Scorers the Focus as Grizzlies Battle Bulls

The Chicago Bulls go for their 40th victory when they play host to the Memphis Grizzlies in a battle of playoff-contending teams on Saturday night. Chicago has been riding the play of All-Star forward DeMar DeRozan to six straight victories, while the Grizzlies come in on a two-game losing streak. Here is a closer look at how to bet online on this contest.

Grizzlies Looking for Turnaround

The Memphis Grizzlies were one of the hotter teams in the league heading into the All-Star break, winning six straight before dropping their finale. <emphis returned to the court on Thursday only to suffer its second straight loss.

Zach LaVine shoots the ball Memphis Grizzlies v Chicago Bulls
Patrick McDermott/Getty Images/AFP

Concerning in the setback was an injury to guard Ja Morant, who limped to the locker room holding his hip in the third quarter. He returned for the fourth quarter and the injury was described by coach Taylor Jenkins as cramping, but it was still a scary moment.

Morant is seventh in the league in scoring at 26.7 points per game while also ranking 14th with 6.8 assists per game. If he’s not 100%, the Grizzlies could have some trouble just staying close to the Bulls.

Guard Desmond Bane has become a reliable scorer for Memphis this season, averaging 17.8 points and shooting 41.5% from 3-point range. Bane had 30 points in a loss to Portland just before the All-Star break but came back with just 14 points in Thursday’s loss.

The Grizzlies will need a big game from forward Jaren Jackson Jr. in this one on both ends of the floor. Jackson is averaging 18.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.7 blocks over his last 10 games, but he had just 14 points in the one meeting with Chicago this season. Jackson is second in the NBA this season with 2.2 blocks per game.

Bulls Riding DeRozan

DeRozan has been tearing up the league, especially over the last few games, averaging 36.6 points and 5.6 assists over his last 10 games while shooting 58.2% from the floor. DeRozan became the first player in NBA history to score at least 35 points and shoot better than 50% in seven straight games recently, then added an eighth such performance on Thursday night.

DeRozan has leaped to the top of the MVP odds, not just for his individual performance but for pushing the Bulls to the top of the Eastern Conference standings, as they are tied with the Miami Heat for the top spot heading into Saturday’s action.

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 25, 2022

But Chicago is more than a one-man team, with guard Zach LaVine also earning an All-Star nod this season. LaVine is averaging 24.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.4 assists and can take over a game if DeRozan ever cools off.

Center Nikola Vucevic is also an all-around threat, averaging 18.1 points, 11.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. He’ll be helped up front by the recent acquisition of forward Tristan Thompson, who had 11 points and six boards off the bench in just 13 minutes in his Bulls debut on Thursday.

Memphis Grizzlies at Chicago Bulls Head-to-Head

The Memphis Grizzlies got the best of the Chicago Bulls in the teams’ first meeting of the season on Martin Luther King Day, winning 119-106 in Memphis. Morant and Bane combined for 50 points in the win, though LaVine didn’t play for the Bulls in that one.

This one is going to be a showcase of some high-scoring players, so you might want to look close at the over when you do your online sports betting.

Memphis Grizzlies at Chicago Bulls Game Information

Game: Memphis Grizzlies (41-20) at Chicago Bulls (39-21)

Location: United Center

Day/Time: 8 p.m. ET

Memphis Grizzlies at Chicago Bulls Betting Lines

Memphis Grizzlies at Chicago Bulls Prediction

The Memphis Grizzlies have been one of the best teams in the league all season long, but they’ve hit a bit of a lull and are facing one of the hottest teams – and players – in the Chicago Bulls and DeRozan. Chicago has been extremely good at home, going 24-8 at the United Center, and that trend should continue in this one.

Look for another big game from DeRozan as the Bulls pull away late to earn the victory. When doing your NBA betting, take Chicago to win at home.

Pick: Chicago Bulls +1½ (-110)

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