Bulls vs. Spurs Prediction and Odds (Back Chicago and the Points in DeRozan's Return)
By Ben Heisler
Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan returns to the AT&T Center in San Antonio Friday night for the first time since signing with the Bulls this offseason.
He'll look to continue his MVP-caliber season and keep the Bulls' two-game win streak alive when they take on the Spurs.
Chicago is still missing key guards in Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso due to injury, and their defense has suffered as a result. Can the up-tempo Spurs take advantage at home?
Here are the latest odds via WynnBET Sportsbook:
Bulls vs. Spurs Odds, Spread and Total
Spread:
- Bulls: PICK 'EM (-110)
- Spurs: PICK 'EM (-110)
Moneyline:
- Bulls -110
- Spurs -110
Total:
- 231 (OVER -110 | UNDER -110)
Bulls vs. Spurs Prediction and Pick
With this game being a complete toss-up, my initial lean is on the Bulls to pull off the victory.
Part of what's made DeRozan a viable MVP candidate is how consistent he's been in clutch situations. The stat is defined as within the final five minutes of a game, where a team is up or down five points, and DeRozan with the Bulls are 14-8, shooting a remarkable 93.3% in two-point field goals in those moments for Chicago.
If you've watched a ton of Bulls games like I have this season, DeRozan is brilliant at getting to his spots in the mid-range where he shoots it nine attempts per game, averaging just over 49%. Only Kevin Durant has a higher FG percentage of players that shoot the midrange five or more times.
If Chicago can fix some of their inconsistencies blowing big leads to make games closer than they should, even without Ball and Caruso, they have three All Stars on the floor in DeRozan, Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic to overcome a run by San Antonio.
One other fun stat to note? The Spurs lead the NBA in OVER percentage at home; going 16-8-1. Meanwhile, without Caruso or Ball in the lineup, over the last three games, Chicago has given up 114, 110 and 105 points to two of the three worst teams in the league (Orlando, OKC, Toronto). San Antonio also ranks top 5 in the league in pace.
I think this is a great opportunity to tease this game, getting the Bulls at +5, while moving the high over to a more reasonable number.
LEAN: Bulls/OVER 5-POINT TEASER (-110)
- BULLS ('pick em) --> +5
- OVER (231) --> 226
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