Chicago Bulls vs. Brooklyn Nets Odds and Prediction
Bulls vs. Nets Odds
| Bulls Odds | +2.5 |
| Nets Odds | -2.5 |
| Over/Under | 221 |
| Date | Saturday, Dec. 4 |
| Time | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | YES |
On Friday night, the Chicago Bulls and the Brooklyn Nets will battle at the Barclays Center. Entering play, these two teams own the two best records in the Eastern Conference. When Chicago and Brooklyn met on November 8, the Bulls outscored the Nets 42-17 in a 118-95 victory. Similar to their first meeting, Brooklyn will be playing tonight’s contest on the latter half of a back-to-back after dueling with the Minnesota Timberwolves yesterday. Oddsmakers are still expecting the Nets to emerge victorious this evening, pricing them as three-point home favorites on the spread at online sportsbooks.
Now let’s take a closer look at Bulls vs. Nets betting odds.
Bulls
All of the pundits who blasted Chicago’s front office for signing DeMar DeRozan this offseason probably wish that they could go back and edit those articles. DeRozan is averaging 26.3 points per game this season, which ranks fourth in the NBA. He has formed a dynamic duo with Zach LaVine, who is averaging 25.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists. Nikola Vucevic and Lonzo Ball give this roster one of the most feared foursomes in the entire league. Per Cleaning the Glass, when these four players have been on the court together this fall, they have a +11.0 Net Rating, ranking in the 63rd percentile in offensive efficiency and the 96th percentile in defensive efficiency.
If there is one area that this defense could improve, it is in their ability to get stops without committing fouls. Only six teams are allowing more opponent free throw attempts per game on the year. The Timberwolves are one of those six teams, who allowed the Nets to shoot 41 free throw attempts yesterday. Though Chicago held Brooklyn to only 19 attempts at the charity stripe in their first meeting, Brooklyn being at home in this one could lead to a reversal of fortunes in the win column if the Bulls are not careful.
Nets
Even without Kyrie Irving in the lineup through Brooklyn’s first 22 games, Brooklyn ranks sixth in Net Rating, outscoring their opponents by four points per 100 possessions. The Nets have found even more success of late as they have adjusted their rotations. Brooklyn has won 14 of their last 17 contests, in no small part, due to the presence of Patty Mills and LaMarcus Aldridge. When Mills and Aldridge are on the floor with Kevin Durant and James Harden this season, the Nets are scoring 128.3 points per 100 possessions, while allowing only 104.8 points per 100 possessions—which makes this one of the most dominant lineups in the NBA.
When Chicago and Brooklyn met in November, Mills and Aldridge each played 23 minutes or less in the losing effort. Changes to the rotation have put both of these players into expanded roles over the last three weeks. Since November 14, Mills has played 31 or more minutes in eight of his nine games played. Aldridge has played at least 28 minutes in five consecutive games.
Though not the sexiest “death lineup” in the league, Durant, Harden, Mills, and Aldridge have given teams a lot of problems in recent weeks. Brooklyn’s only two losses since the last time they played Chicago have come against the Golden State Warriors and the Phoenix Suns. Bettors should expect a strong performance from the Nets in this one.
Prediction
Brooklyn’s superb ability to get to the free-throw line, coupled with Steve Nash’s recent willingness to play Mills and Aldridge extended minutes give the Nets a leg up in this one. The Nets are 4-1 playing with a rest disadvantage this year, and 2-1 when playing on the second half of a back-to-back. Chicago has a scheduling advantage heading into tonight’s action, but Brooklyn is still well positioned to get revenge in this meeting.
PICK: Nets -2.5 (-110)
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