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Andrew Rogers
Nets vs. Bulls Prediction: NBA Odds, Point Spread
The Chicago Bulls are making a serious charge at the fourth and final play-in spot in the Eastern Conference – but they face the unenviable task Tuesday of tangling with a Brooklyn Nets team that also has something significant at stake. The Nets have not only fallen three games back of the conference-leading Philadelphia 76ers, they’re just a game up on third-place Milwaukee. But they’re comfortable road favourites on the NBA odds against a host Bulls team that can’t afford another loss.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Being a road favourite is starting to agree with the Nets again. They’re 4-2 against the spread in their last six games in that situation, following three straight non-covers, though they’re still just 5-4 straight up in their last nine games as a road fave. They do, however, have the support of the majority of Sports Interaction bettors, who are taking the Nets at a 63 per cent clip. The Bulls have covered just one of their previous five games against Brooklyn at United Center.
The total comes in at 232.5, with a 50-50 split among Sports Interaction respondents. Brooklyn owns a strong Over record of 38-30 for the season but has converted the Under in four of their past five games. The Nets are also 5-2 to the Under in their last seven games away from Barclays Center. Chicago is riding a similar trend, with a 6-1 Under mark over its last seven contests, but the teams have gone 5-2 O/U in their previous seven meetings.
Brooklyn Nets
The Nets will face the Bulls twice over their final four regular-season games – and those matchups should provide a stiff test for a Brooklyn team looking to go on an extended playoff run. The Bulls earned a 115-107 victory in the only previous meeting between the teams this season, though the Nets were without both Kevin Durant and James Harden in that one. Durant will be in action Tuesday, while Harden (hamstring) remains out indefinitely.
Chicago Bulls
Thinking about betting on the Bulls to make the postseason? You’re probably better off saving your money for a more reasonable wager. The Bulls will play three of their final four games against the Nets and Milwaukee Bucks, who are a combined 87-49; Chicago has gone just 8-28 against teams above the .500 mark this season. And even if the Bulls win all four of those games, they’ll still be knocked out if the Washington Wizards go 2-1 or better in that span.
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