Brooklyn Nets vs Chicago Bulls Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 29/03/2024, 06:29  by Devesh Jaganath | Modified on 29/03/2024 at 06:40 in NBA Predictions

The Brooklyn Nets will play host to the Chicago Bulls at the Barclays Center in the NBA on Friday night. The hosts are 28-45 and 11th in the Eastern Conference, while the visitors are 35-38 and ninth in the Conference standings. 

The Chicago Bulls have maintained steady performances, splitting their last eight games overall. They’ll now aim to sustain this momentum following a convincing 125-99 victory over the Pacers at home on Wednesday. DeMar DeRozan spearheaded the team's offensive efforts with 27 points, shooting nine of 18 from the field, while Nikola Vucevic contributed 22 points along with 12 rebounds. Currently, Chicago holds a seven-game lead over the 11th-place Nets, with only the top ten teams qualifying for the playoffs. The Bulls' offense averages 112.2 points per game, ranking 22nd, which is 1.3 points less than the Nets typically concede. Defensively, Chicago allows 113.6 points per game, placing them 15th overall. Notably, the Bulls tend to concede 4.5 more points on the road compared to their home games. Unfortunately, Chicago will be without Julian Phillips, Patrick Williams, and Zach Lavine due to injuries.

Brooklyn's playoff aspirations are dwindling as they lag behind the 10th and final play-in spot by five and a half games with just nine games remaining. Despite being mired in a slump, losing eight of their last 11 games overall, they’re seeking a third consecutive victory following a hard-fought 122-119 overtime road triumph over the Wizards on Wednesday. Cam Thomas showcased an outstanding performance, leading the team with 38 points and seven assists on 14 of 27 shooting, while Dennis Schroder contributed 21 points alongside eight assists. Scoring has been a challenge for Brooklyn, ranking 24th in the league with an average of 111.0 points per game, which is 2.6 fewer points than the Bulls typically concede. Defensively, the Nets allow an average of 113.5 points per game, placing them 14th in the NBA. However, they have struggled to cover the spread in six of their last eight games. Brooklyn will be without Keita Bates-Diop, Ben Simmons, and Dariq Whitehead, while Cameron Johnson's availability remains uncertain.