The Chicago Bulls have rampaged through the Eastern Conference and have won their last eight games. Meanwhile, the Washington Wizards will miss several key players per the latest news, stats, and injury reports and are in no position to stop the Bulls. Via the NBA odds, this one should be an easy win for Chicago, right?
Washington Wizards (19-19) vs Chicago Bulls (25-10)
DeRozan has Home Fans Seeing ‘MJ’
The Bulls are on top of the Eastern Conference. The last time this happened, a current New York Knicks backup point guard (Derrick Rose) was the league MVP. Chicago has won eight straight thanks in part to back-to-back game-winners from DeMar DeRozan.
Crazy: DeMar DeRozan leads the NBA in 4Q points.
Crazier: He is shooting 53/54/88% in 4Q.
Craziest: He is shooting 56/100/96% in the clutch. pic.twitter.com/rkgcsjMFhD
— StatMuse (@statmuse) January 2, 2022
Chicago is laughing out loud as DeRozan has helped turn the Bulls around and should now be a strong candidate in the MVP race. The four-time All-Star is not just a catalyst for the Bulls’ offense, but has been a key contributor on defense. With DeRozan on the floor, Chicago is 8.3 points better on offense and 9.2 points on defense for a whopping +17.4.
The Bulls are 21-14 against the spread (ATS) and 9-5 as a home favorite. Betting online on Chicago has never been trendier than it is now.
Wizards Out of Tricks
After starting fast with a 10-3 record, the Wizards have become one of the worst teams in the league partly due to injuries. But it’s gotten ugly in the nation’s capital. Washington has not only lost 16 of its last 25 games, but it is getting blown out in most of these.
The Wizards have lost by double digits in 10 of these games and own a 5-11 record in games decided by 10 or more points, which is only trumped by Detroit and Orlando in the Eastern Conference. Bradley Beal continues to put in work for Washington but there is not a lot to like with the Wizards, given their subpar play on both ends of the court.
Washington still owns a respectable 6-4 ATS record in its last 10 games and has covered on four of its last five. There is some value to be had if looking at them on the sportsbook.
Washington Wizards vs Chicago Bulls Head to Head
| Washington | Stat | Chicago |
| 2-8 | Record | 8-2 |
| 3-7-0 | Point Spread | 7-3-0 |
| 6-4-0 | Over/Under | 6-4-0 |
| 115.30 | Average Score | 117.50 |
| 59.80 | Half Time | 58.10 |
Washington Wizards vs Chicago Bulls Game Information
- Date: Friday
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Location: United Center
- Washington Wizards vs Chicago Bulls Live Stream: NBA Game Pass
Washington Wizards vs Chicago Bulls Betting Lines
| Washington | Chicago | |
| +230 | Moneyline | -270 |
| +6 (-110) | Point Spread | -6 (-110) |
| 225½ (-110o) | Total | 225½ (-110u) |
Washington Wizards vs Chicago Bulls Prediction
This has been a one-sided series even if the last five games were all decided by single digits and two of the last three by one possession. The Bulls have the Wizards’ number and are an even better version than the last few Chicago teams that Beal and Co. have faced.
The Bulls’ biggest advantage here would be their efficiency. Chicago averages the highest three-point percentage and is allowing the seventh-lowest from opponents while constantly winning the turnover battle. Chicago is due for a big win.
Pick: Chicago Bulls -6
Totals have been going under quite a bit this season. In Chicago’s case, seven of its 11 home games have thanks to the Bulls’ minimal three-point attempts and perimeter defense. We can ignore that 13 of their last 18 home games against Washington have gone over.
