Two teams, both in need of a win, face off on Saturday when the Portland Trail Blazers head to Chicago for a meeting with the Bulls.

The Bulls are 2.5-point favourites to win on the NBA odds with a total of 233.5.

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

After Portland swept the two-game season series last year, the Bulls picked up some revenge in a 111-108 win on January 5.  CJ McCollum (game-high 26 points) and Damien Lillard (24 points) were the best players on the court, but it wasn’t enough to take down Chicago, led by Coby White’s 21 point effort.

The loss earlier this season was the Blazers first loss to Chicago in eight meetings.  Portland is 6-2 against the spread in their last five games against the Bulls, including covering in five straight games.  For the season the Blazers are 7-10 ATS and have hit the Over in eight of 17 games.

Chicago’s elite offence and lack of defence have put them in high scoring games and led to them hitting the Over in 10 of 17 games, this season.  The Bulls are 11-6 ATS, covering three times at home and eight times on the road.

Portland Trail Blazers

Entering this season with higher expectations than they have had in a while, things haven’t gone exactly the way the Blazers would have liked, up to this point.  It looked like Jusuf Nurkic was finally healthy after being plagued with injuries in the past, but a fractured wrist has him on the sidelines until early March, while CJ McCollum is out until late February with a hairline fracture in his foot.  McCollum averages 26.7 points per game (second-most on Portland), 3.9 rebounds and five assists (second), while Nurkic averages 9.8 points, 7.7 rebounds (second) and 2.8 assists (third).  Portland’s leading scorer, Lillard, is third in league scoring, averaging 28.8 points per game.

With two of their three best offensive players out, the Blazers will need to change the game plan, as the rest of Portland’s roster was essentially built to add defence around Lillard, McCollum and Nurkic.  The Blazers inconsistent offence has been forced to be over reliant on Lillard, while Robert Covington and Derrick Jones Jr. haven’t been putting up points and have both struggled defensively.  Sitting at 9-8 on the season, things won’t get any easier for Portland.

Chicago Bulls

This is a Bulls team with that plays at one of the highest paces in the league and as a result they rank third in NBA scoring, averaging 115.3 points per game, but they’re actually ranked No. 18 in Offensive Efficiency.  The issue for Chicago, is they just don’t play defence.  The Bulls have allowed the third most points in the league with players like Zach LaVine and Coby White struggling on the defensive side of the ball.  LaVine is one of the top scorers in the league, averaging 27 points per game and White is third on the Bulls with 15.2 points per game, but a total lack of defence is making any points they score futile.

The biggest issue for Chicago is turnovers.  The Bulls average 18.1 turnovers per game, the most in the NBA.  Chicago is in such a rush to move the ball and keep the pace high, they’re giving the ball away as much as they get it.  Rookie Patrick Williams (9.8 points per game) is starting every game, but he has struggled offensively and doesn’t look much better on defence.  The Bulls have proven they can score, but until they lock things down defensively, they won’t be able to stick with the big teams in the NBA.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Trail Blazers vs. Bulls?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Trail Blazers Team Leaders

POR

Points	Damian Lillard 28.75
Assists	Damian Lillard 7.54
Rebounds	Enes Kanter 11.04
FG%	Enes Kanter 60.4
Steals	Robert Covington 1.44
Blocks	Robert Covington 1.2

CHI

Points	Zach LaVine 27.43
Assists	Zach LaVine 4.86
Rebounds	Nikola Vucevic 11.54
FG%	Thaddeus Young 55.9
Steals	Thaddeus Young 1.09
Blocks	Nikola Vucevic 0.77

POR

Points	Damian Lillard 34.33
Assists	Damian Lillard 10.17
Rebounds	Jusuf Nurkic 10.33
FG%	Rondae Hollis-Jefferson 80
Steals	Robert Covington 1.5
Blocks	Jusuf Nurkic 1.17

CHI

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Bulls Team Leaders

POR

Points	Damian Lillard 28.75
Assists	Damian Lillard 7.54
Rebounds	Enes Kanter 11.04
FG%	Enes Kanter 60.4
Steals	Robert Covington 1.44
Blocks	Robert Covington 1.2

CHI

Points	Zach LaVine 27.43
Assists	Zach LaVine 4.86
Rebounds	Nikola Vucevic 11.54
FG%	Thaddeus Young 55.9
Steals	Thaddeus Young 1.09
Blocks	Nikola Vucevic 0.77

POR

Points	Damian Lillard 34.33
Assists	Damian Lillard 10.17
Rebounds	Jusuf Nurkic 10.33
FG%	Rondae Hollis-Jefferson 80
Steals	Robert Covington 1.5
Blocks	Jusuf Nurkic 1.17

CHI

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

Injuries

Portland

Jusuf Nurkic (C)

Prob Tues Thumb - 31 / 05 / 21

Nassir Little (SF)

Ques Sun Back - 11 / 05 / 21

Carmelo Anthony (SF)

Ques Wed Ankle - 08 / 05 / 21

Norman Powell (SG)

Prob Fri Knee - 04 / 05 / 21

Norman Powell (SG)

Ques Mon Knee - 03 / 05 / 21

Derrick Jones Jr. (SF)

Ques Fri Hip - 21 / 04 / 21

Jusuf Nurkic (C)

Out Tues Rest - 19 / 04 / 21

Jusuf Nurkic (C)

Out Sat Rest - 10 / 04 / 21

Norman Powell (SG)

Prob Thurs Toe - 07 / 04 / 21

Jusuf Nurkic (C)

Prob Thurs Knee - 05 / 04 / 21

Chicago

Nikola Vucevic (C)

Out Sun Rest - 16 / 05 / 21

Tomas Satoransky (SG)

Out Sun Ankle - 14 / 05 / 21

Tomas Satoransky (SG)

Ques Thurs Ankle - 12 / 05 / 21

Daniel Theis (PF)

Out Sun Hip - 12 / 05 / 21

Daniel Theis (PF)

Ques Tues Hip - 09 / 05 / 21

Cristiano Felicio (PF)

Ques Mon Illness - 01 / 05 / 21

Lauri Markkanen (PF)

Ques Sat Illness - 01 / 05 / 21

Nikola Vucevic (C)

Prob Thurs Leg - 01 / 05 / 21

Nikola Vucevic (C)

Prob Fri Hip - 29 / 04 / 21

Patrick Williams (SF)

Prob Sat Heel - 23 / 04 / 21

Injuries

Portland

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Jusuf Nurkic (C)	Prob Tues	Thumb - 31 / 05 / 21	1-1	1-1	+ -
Nurkic has a left thumb contusion, but it is anticipated that he will take on the Nuggets in Game 5 of the Western Conference first round.
Nassir Little (SF)	Ques Sun	Back - 11 / 05 / 21	6-4	6-4	+ -
Little has missed the previous two games with back spasms, and it is undetermined if he will take the court versus the Nuggets on Sunday.
Carmelo Anthony (SF)	Ques Wed	Ankle - 08 / 05 / 21	7-5	7-5	+ -
Anthony has sat out the last two games with a sprained right ankle, and it is unknown if he will suit up for Wednesday's tilt against the Jazz.
Norman Powell (SG)	Prob Fri	Knee - 04 / 05 / 21	7-6	8-5	+ -
Powell missed the last game with a knee injury, but it is anticipated that he will face the Lakers on Friday.
Norman Powell (SG)	Ques Mon	Knee - 03 / 05 / 21	8-6	9-5	+ -
Powell is tending to right knee patellar tendinopathy, and it is unknown if he will be available to face the Trail Blazers on Monday.
Derrick Jones Jr. (SF)	Ques Fri	Hip - 21 / 04 / 21	13-9	13-9	+ -
Jones Jr. missed the last game due to a right hip contusion, and it is uncertain if he will suit up for Friday's clash with the Grizzlies.
Jusuf Nurkic (C)	Out Tues	Rest - 19 / 04 / 21	13-9	13-9	+ -
Nurkic will not be available for Tuesday's showdown with the Clippers as he will receive a day of rest.
Jusuf Nurkic (C)	Out Sat	Rest - 10 / 04 / 21	15-12	14-13	+ -
Nurkic will not be available for Saturday's clash with the Pistons as he will receive a day of rest.
Norman Powell (SG)	Prob Thurs	Toe - 07 / 04 / 21	16-13	15-14	+ -
Powell is bothered by left big toe inflammation, but he is likely to be active Thursday versus the Jazz.
Jusuf Nurkic (C)	Prob Thurs	Knee - 05 / 04 / 21	16-13	15-14	+ -
Nurkic was held out of the last game due to right knee inflammation, but it is projected that he will suit up Thursday against the Jazz.

Chicago

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Nikola Vucevic (C)	Out Sun	Rest - 16 / 05 / 21	0-1	0-1	+ -
Vucevic will not be in the lineup on Sunday versus the Bucks, as he will be given a day of rest.
Tomas Satoransky (SG)	Out Sun	Ankle - 14 / 05 / 21	1-1	0-2	+ -
Satoransky was held out of the last contest due to a left ankle sprain, and he will not face the Bucks on Sunday.
Tomas Satoransky (SG)	Ques Thurs	Ankle - 12 / 05 / 21	1-2	0-3	+ -
Satoransky is bothered by a left ankle sprain, and it remains to be seen if he will line up against the Raptors on Thursday.
Daniel Theis (PF)	Out Sun	Hip - 12 / 05 / 21	1-2	0-3	+ -
Theis has missed the previous two games due to a right hip contusion, and he will not be available for Sunday's matchup with the Bucks.
Daniel Theis (PF)	Ques Tues	Hip - 09 / 05 / 21	3-2	0-5	+ -
Theis sat out the last game tending to a right hip contusion, and it is unclear if he will take the court to battle the Nets on Tuesday.
Cristiano Felicio (PF)	Ques Mon	Illness - 01 / 05 / 21	4-6	0-10	+ -
Felicio sat out the last game nursing an illness, and it is unclear if he will be in the lineup versus the 76ers on Monday.
Lauri Markkanen (PF)	Ques Sat	Illness - 01 / 05 / 21	4-6	0-10	+ -
Markkanen is ailing from an illness, and it remains to be seen if he will take the court against the Hawks on Saturday.
Nikola Vucevic (C)	Prob Thurs	Leg - 01 / 05 / 21	4-6	0-10	+ -
Vucevic has missed the last two games due to an adductor injury, but it is anticipated that he will be available versus the Hornets on Thursday.
Nikola Vucevic (C)	Prob Fri	Hip - 29 / 04 / 21	4-6	0-10	+ -
Vucevic is dealing with right adductor tightness, but he is likely to face the Bucks on Friday.
Patrick Williams (SF)	Prob Sat	Heel - 23 / 04 / 21	6-8	3-11	+ -
Williams is battling left heel soreness, but he is projected to take the court for Saturday's tilt with the Heat.