Thursday’s nine-game schedule in the NBA is written in part by a nightcap at 10:30 pm ET between the Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers. Los Angeles is 40-25 and well within the automatic cutoff line in the Western Conference. Chicago was all but eliminated from playoff contention at 27-38.
Let’s get into my Bulls vs. Lakers.
Chicago Bulls vs. Los Angeles Lakers odds
Money line: Bulls +400 / Lakers -535
Spread: Bulls +10 (-102) / Lakers -10 (-118)
Total: Over 238.5 (-105) / Under 238.5 (-115)
Chicago Bulls vs. Los Angeles Lakers best bet #1: Lakers -10 (-118)
This is just a case of two teams going in different directions. The Lakers have won six of their last seven games and will continue to play inspired basketball as they try to avoid a playoff race in the West and possibly climb as high as the No. 1 seed. The Bulls went 4-16 in the last 20 games, which has ended their playoff hopes and left them playing for nothing. To add insult to injury (or vice versa), almost everyone on Chicago’s roster has some sort of name injury. Among others, Anfernee Simons (wrist) is out Thursday; Isaac Okoro (knee), Collin Sexton (leg), and Patrick Williams (ankle) are questionable.
LeBron James is doubtful for LA after missing the past three games with foot and hip problems. Sounds like he has a good chance of coming back today – but even if he doesn’t, it shouldn’t matter. After all, Los Angeles has won its last three games without LBJ by 11, 13 and 14 points – the last two beating the Knicks and Timberwolves in impressive fashion.
The two teams faced each other previously on January 26, when the Lakers entered Chicago and cruised 129-118 after leading by 20 points. Chicago is 2-6 against the spread in its last eight. LA is 6-1 ATS in their last seven overall and 4-0 ATS in their last four home games.
Chicago Bulls vs. Los Angeles Lakers best player prop bet: Rui Hachimura Over 1.5 three-pointers (-110)
Hachimura has surpassed this number by 1.5 in his last three games and in five of his last seven. This heat from deep included a quadruple performance against the Nuggets last Thursday. The former Gonzaga standout, who is averaging 11.6 ppg, has scored 13 or more points in three of the last four games.
Hachimura now faces a Bulls team that ranks sixth worst in the NBA in three-point defense at 36.8. Chicago just watched the Warriors sink 20 shots in the city on Tuesday. When the Bulls and Lakers met in January, Hachimura produced 23 points on 4-for-5 marksmanship in a land of plenty.
