Chicago Bulls vs Cleveland Cavaliers Preview
At 8:00 ET, the Cleveland Cavaliers (-187) will travel to Chicago to take on the Bulls (+155) in a Central Division matchup. The Cavaliers are currently favored by 4.5 points and have a record of 38-19, which is good for 2nd in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls are 27-31 and sit 9th in the East.
This game will be played at the United Center and can be seen on NBCS. The over/under line for this matchup is currently set at 216.5 points.
Check out BetCoco for Chicago Bulls – Cleveland Cavaliers odds
Chicago Bulls vs Cleveland Cavaliers Head-to-Head and Key Stats
The Cavaliers and Bulls did not have any head-to-head matchups last season. But over the last three times playing each other, the Cavaliers have a record of 3-0. The Cavaliers also had the edge vs. the spread in these games, at 2-1. These games averaged a combined total of 205 points per game leading to an over/under record of 0-3.
- Through their last ten road contests, the Cavaliers offense has averaged 114 points per game while allowing an average of 103. Cleveland posted an overall record of 8-2 while going 5-5 ATS.
- When looking at their past five home matchups, Chicago has an ATS record of 4-1 while averaging 116 per game. The team went 3-2 overall in these games.
- Through their last five games as the betting underdog, the Bulls have a strong record vs the spread going 3-2. Their straight up mark in these contests is 2-3.
- Although the Cavaliers have a strong straight up record in their last three games as the betting favorite, they have not done as well vs the spread going 0-3.
Chicago Bulls vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction
Today, the Cavaliers are favored by 4.5 points against the Bulls. This season, Cleveland has been favored in 39 of their 57 games and has gone 30-9 in those games. As the favorite, they have an ATS record of 19-19 and have won their last two games straight up as the favorite.
Cleveland’s ATS record for the season is 28-27, and they have failed to cover the spread in their last six games. On the road, they are 14-11 ATS compared to 14-16 at home.
Looking at their O/U record, the Cavaliers are 26-30-1 for the season. In their last two games as the favorite, the over/under result has gone 5-4-0 and their games have averaged 223.9 points.
In their most recent game, the Cavaliers defeated the Mavericks by a score of 121-119. The O/U line for that game was 230.5, giving them an over/under result of 240 points. Cleveland won the game as 4-point favorites.
In the Eastern Conference standings, the Cavaliers are currently in 2nd place with a record of 38-19. Within the Central Division, they are also in 1st place. On the road, the Cavaliers are 18-9 this season.
When it comes to scoring, the Cavaliers are averaging 114.6 points per game this season, which is 15th in the NBA. However, on the road, they are scoring slightly less at 112.9 points per game (19th).
So far this season, Cleveland has outscored the NBA scoring average in 45.6% of their games, and they are 12th in the league in field goal percentage at 48%. In terms of pace, the Cavs are 22nd in the league at 97.6 possessions per game.
When it comes to three-point shooting, the Cavaliers are 11th in the NBA in made threes per game (13.3) and 10th in three-point attempts (36.6). However, their three-point shooting percentage is just 36% (17th).
So far, the Cavaliers’ defense is ranked 2nd in the league at 109.3 points per contest. In terms of two point field goal attempts, the Cavaliers defense has allowed a shooting percentage of 51.8% while allowing 36.2% from downtown.
Today’s O/U line of 216.5 is lower than the season average of 222.3 for Bulls games. This season, 45 of their games have had higher O/U lines than today’s, while just 10 have had lower lines. The team’s last two games have finished with fewer points than the betting line.
In their most recent game, the Bulls lost to the Pistons by a score of 105-95. The O/U line for that game was 223.5, and Chicago was favored by 10 points. As a result, the Bulls are 30-27 straight-up and 30-27 ATS this season.
Against other Eastern Conference teams, the Bulls are 15-21 compared to 12-10 in non-conference games. This puts them in 9th place in the East, just outside of the playoff picture. In the Central Division, they are 4th with a record of 27-31.
At home, the Bulls are 15-14 straight-up and 15-14 ATS. Their average scoring margin at home is +0.8 points per game. As the underdog, the Bulls are 11-21 straight-up and 17-15 vs. the spread.
This season, the Bulls are scoring 111.6 points per game, which is 25th in the NBA. At home, they are averaging the same number of points per game.
Chicago is 21st in field goal percentage at 46%. In terms of three-point shooting, they are 25th in the league with a 35% success rate.
So far, the Bulls have outscored the league average in just 36.2% of their games. In terms of pace, they are 27th in the NBA.
On average, the Chicago defense is giving up 113.0 points per game (11th). Right now, they are on a 4 game streak of giving up fewer points than their season average. Inside the arc, the Bulls defense is giving up a shooting percentage of 55.8% and 36.9% from three-point territory.
According to our analysis, we anticipate the Cavaliers to win this one with a projected score of 134-100.
Chicago Bulls vs Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Tips
- Take the Cavaliers on the moneyline
- The Cavaliers should also cover at -4.5
- Projecting a combined 234 points, we like the over
Chicago Bulls Injury Report
- Zach LaVine – Ankle – Out
- Lonzo Ball – Knee – Out
- Torrey Craig – Knee – Out
- Patrick Williams – Foot – Out
Cleveland Cavaliers Injury Report
- Tristan Thompson – Suspension – Out
- Ty Jerome – Ankle – Out
