NBA picks: Nuggets vs. Bulls prediction, odds, over/under, spread, injury report for Tuesday, Dec. 12

Murray is considered doubtful, while Gordon is active. Caruso is out for Chicago while Williams is in. The line is now Nuggets -6.5 and the total comes in at 218.5. I still like the Bulls to cover at +6.5, and I’ll take the under on the new total with Murray set to sit.

Murray is questionable for the Nuggets, while Aaron Gordon is probable. The Bulls have listed Alex Caruso as questionable and Patrick Williams as probable. The lines haven’t changed at all yet, and likely won’t unless Murray and Gordon both get ruled out.

The Denver Nuggets (15-9) meet the Chicago Bulls (9-15) on the second night of a back-to-back set for both squads Tuesday evening. The Nuggets snapped a three-game losing streak with a win over the Hawks Monday, while the Bulls saw their four-game winning streak end at the hands of the Bucks in overtime. This is the second meeting between these teams this season, with Denver taking the first encounter 123-101.

Jamal Murray could be rested on the second night of a back-to-back given his injury history. Alex Caruso didn’t play Monday for Chicago. Zach LaVine remains sidelined for the Bulls with a long-term foot injury.

The Nuggets are 7.5-point favorites at DraftKings Sportsbook, with the total sitting at 220. Denver is -290 on the moneyline, while Chicago is +240.

Nuggets vs. Bulls, 8 p.m. ET

Pick ATS: Bulls +7.5

Neither team is particularly good against the number on back-to-back sets, and the clouded injury report creates some additional uncertainty. Assuming Murray is the only true question mark for the Nuggets, Denver should have more overall talent on the floor. That doesn’t mean this an automatic cover for the Nuggets though.

The Bulls are a much better team at home, with a 7-6 straight up mark at United Center as opposed to a 2-9 road record, Chicago is 6-6-1 ATS at home while Denver is one of the worst road ATS teams with a 4-10 mark. Even on the second night of a back-to-back set, I like the Bulls to cover at home on this number.

Over/Under: Under 220

The Nuggets are 10-14 to the over this season, while Chicago is 14-10. Denver is 2-3 to overs on the second night of a back-to-back while the Bulls are 2-2 in the same category. The big difference here is the home and road splits. The Bulls are 7-6 on overs at home, while the Nuggets are 5-9 on overs on the road. That trend, along with the potential for some stars to rest on both sides, leads me towards the under for this game.