Trail Blazers vs. Bulls odds, prediction: NBA best bets (Monday, March 18)
The Chicago Bulls are creeping back to the .500 mark while trying to hang on to one of the NBA’s final postseason play-in spots.
On Monday night, they will look to win for the third time in four games and sixth in nine contests with the Portland Trail Blazers invading United Center.
Let’s take a closer look at the matchup and find a betting edge.
Trail Blazers vs. Bulls odds
- Spread: Trail Blazers +8.5 (-110), Bulls -8.5 (-110)
- Total: Over 214 (-108), Under 214 (-112)
- Moneyline: Trail Blazers +280, Bulls -350
Odds via FanDuel
Trail Blazers vs. Bulls analysis
The Bulls rebounded from a blowout loss to the Los Angeles Clippers by routing the hapless Washington Wizards on Saturday, 127-98, as 9.5-point home favorites. Chicago shot 58% from the field, led by guard Ayo Dosunmu’s 34 points on 14-of-22 shooting.
Billy Donovan’s team improved to 33-35 as it aims to grab the ninth seed in the Eastern Conference with hopes of moving up further in order to host a play-in game.
Having lost 15 of their last 19 games, the Trail Blazers (19-48) have long been eliminated from the postseason. They are coming off consecutive losses to the Knicks and Pelicans by a combined 31 points.
Portland hung with New Orleans on Saturday, trailing by only five points at the half. However, the Pelicans opened things in the second half, winning, 126-107, as 13-point favorites.
The Blazers covered their first four games of March, but they have posted a 2-3-1 record against the spread in their last six games.
In the first matchup this season between these teams on Jan. 28, the Bulls went into Portland and held off the Blazers, 104-96, as six-point favorites. Jerami Grant paced Portland with 24 points in the loss, but the Blazers shot just 6-of-33 from 3-point range.
The Bulls are in the midst of a 2-10 run against the spread in their last 12 games after picking up a cover in their last contest.
Trail Blazers vs. Bulls pick
Even though they are coming off a big win, the Bulls have still struggled at home of late, going 3-7 in their last 10 games at United Center.
On Monday, they’ll be without Coby White again, and Alex Caruso is listed as questionable, leaving the Bulls potentially thin at guard against the Blazers.
Let’s take the points with Portland here to cover against Chicago.
