Cleveland Cavaliers vs Chicago Bulls Preview
The Bulls will be looking to make up some ground in the Eastern Conference playoff race when they head to Cleveland to take on the Cavaliers. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 ET at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
According to oddsmakers, the Cavs are currently favored by 9 points. ESPN will have coverage of the game.
Check out BetCoco for Cleveland Cavaliers – Chicago Bulls odds
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Chicago Bulls Head-to-Head and Key Stats
The Cavaliers have been dominant over the Bulls, going 5-0 in their last five head to head games. The Cavaliers have been the team to bet on in this head-to-head series, as they have gone a perfect 5-0 the last five times they have faced off against the Bulls.
- The Bulls are 4-1 ATS in their last road games and 4-1 straight-up.
- Although Cleveland has a straight up record of 8-2 in their last ten home games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 6-4. The team averaged 116 points per game in these games.
- In their last three games as the betting underdog, the Bulls have a strong straight up record of 2-1. In addition, their ATS record was 2-1 in these scenarios.
- In their last ten games as the betting favorite, the Cavaliers have a straight up record of 9-1 and an ATS mark of 6-4.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Chicago Bulls Prediction
In the Bulls’ last game against the Hawks, the two teams combined for 262 points, easily surpassing the O/U line of 240.5. Chicago won the game by a score of 136-126, covering the spread as 4.5-point underdogs.
This season, the Bulls have a record of 29-24-1 against the over/under, and their games have averaged a combined 225 points. Today’s O/U line of 223.5 is lower than their season average of 222.2.
As the underdog, the Bulls have gone 10-19 straight-up and 15-14 against the spread on the road. Their ATS record as the underdog is 15-14 compared to 13-11 on the road.
Chicago’s overall record is 26-28, which is currently 9th in the Eastern Conference. On the road, they are 11-16 for the season.
In the Eastern Conference, the Bulls are 15-18 compared to 11-10 in non-conference games. Today, they are 9-point underdogs against the Cavaliers.
The Bulls come into the game ranked 25th in the NBA in scoring at 111.9 points per game. On the road, they are averaging 111.7 points per game.
Chicago’s offense has been below the NBA scoring average in 61.1% of their games this season. They are also 27th in the league in pace at 96.9 possessions per game.
So far this season, the Bulls have made 46% of their shots, which is 22nd in the NBA. They are also 24th in two-point shooting at 53%.
In the current season, the Bulls defense has excelled, sitting 11th in the NBA by allowing 113.0 points per game. Chicago’s defense is currently forcing 11.7 turnovers per game, which is 3rd in the league. Additionally, they enter the game ranked 14th in blocked shots, with an average of 5.3 rejections per game.
In their last game against the 76ers, the Cavaliers were favored by 11 points but lost the game by a score of 123-121. The O/U line for that game was 230.5 points.
This season, the Cavaliers have an O/U record of 24-27-1, and their games have averaged 224.3 points per game. Today’s O/U line is set at 223.5.
Cleveland is 35-17 on the season, which is good for 2nd place in the Eastern Conference. In games against other Eastern Conference teams, they are 23-11 and 7-4 against Central Division opponents.
Against the spread, the Cavaliers are 28-22 this season, and their ATS record at home is 14-13. As the favorite, they are 19-14 ATS this season.
As the favorite, the Cavaliers have gone 27-7 straight-up this season, and they are favored by 9 points in today’s game. Their average scoring margin as the favorite is +9.9 PPG.
Cleveland’s non-conference record this season is 12-6, and they are coming off a loss to the 76ers.
When playing at home, the Cavaliers are averaging 116.4 points per game, which is 16th in the league. Overall, they are 15th in scoring at 115 points per game. In terms of three-point shooting, they are 10th in made threes at 13.4 per game.
So far this season, Cleveland has outscored the NBA scoring average in 48.1% of their games. They are 11th in assists, but just 15th in offensive rebounds. In terms of pace, they are 23rd in the league.
When it comes to field goal percentage, the Cavaliers are shooting 48% overall, which is 11th in the NBA. In terms of two-point shooting, they are 6th in the league at 56%.
On defense, the Cavaliers come into the game ranked 2nd in the league in points allowed at 109.3 per game. Over their last three games, the team is allowing 104.3 points per contest (19th). In terms of two point field goal attempts, the Cavaliers defense has allowed a shooting percentage of 51.8% while allowing 35.5% from downtown.
Based on projections, we have the Cavaliers coming out on top by a score of 134-101.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Chicago Bulls Betting Tips
- Take the Cavaliers on the moneyline
- The Cavaliers should also cover at -9
- Projecting a combined 235 points, we like the over
Cleveland Cavaliers Injury Report
- Tristan Thompson – Suspension – Out
- Ty Jerome – Ankle – Out
- Dean Wade – Illness – Questionable
Chicago Bulls Injury Report
- Zach LaVine – Ankle – Out
- Alex Caruso – Toe – Questionable
- Lonzo Ball – Knee – Out
- Torrey Craig – Toe – Probable
- Patrick Williams – Foot – Out
- Dalen Terry – Knee – Probable
