Cleveland-cavaliers vs Chicago Bulls Picks and Predictions April 8th 2025

Cleveland-Cavaliers vs Chicago Bulls April 8th 2025

At 7:00 ET, the Central Division matchup between the Bulls and Cavaliers will tip off at Rocket Arena in Cleveland. The Cavaliers come into the game as 11.5-point favorites and have a record of 62-16, while the Bulls are 36-42 and have won three straight games.

The over/under line for the game is set at 240 points. FDSO will have the television coverage for this Eastern Conference showdown.

Limited Time Offer!

Bulls vs. Cavaliers Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Chicago Bulls at Cleveland Cavaliers
• Where: Cleveland at Rocket Arena
• Date: Tuesday, April 8th
• Betting Odds CLE -11.5, CHI +449 | CLE -614 O/U 240

The Bulls Can Win If…

The Bulls improved to 36-42 on the season with a 131-117 win over the Hornets on Sunday. Chicago, favored by -8.5 points, covered the spread, and the teams combined for 248 points, surpassing the O/U line of 230.5 by 17.5 points.

A key moment came when the Bulls went on a 13-0 run, extending their lead from 17-10 to 30-10. They dominated the 2nd quarter, outscoring Charlotte 46-27, and maintained control despite being outscored 26-20 in the 3rd. Chicago and Charlotte each scored 36 points in the 4th.

Coby White’s 37-point performance, including 18 in the 2nd quarter, led the Bulls to a 131-point outing against the Hornets. White hit 6 threes at a 75% clip, finishing with a 75% shooting percentage overall.

Chicago made 16 threes, shooting 44.4% from deep and 53.5% from the field. Josh Giddey contributed 23 points and 10 rebounds, while Nikola Vučević added 16 points and 11 boards.

Defensively, the Bulls held the Hornets to 117 points, giving up 28 in the 1st quarter, 27 in the 2nd, and 26 in the 3rd before allowing 36 in the 4th. Chicago limited Charlotte’s three-point shooting, allowing just 8 made threes on 26% shooting.

Chicago sent the Hornets to the line 34 times, where they converted 27 free throws. The Bulls grabbed 32 defensive rebounds, giving up 9 offensive boards, and added 8 steals and 1 block.

• Across their last five road contests, Chicago has been good against the spread posting a mark of 4-1. Their overall mark in these games was 4-1, while averaging 130 points per game.
• The Bulls have played well in their last five games as the betting underdog, going 4-1 straight up and 4-1 against the spread.
• Over their last three games, the Bulls have an over/under record of 2-1 and are 2-1 vs. the spread.

The Cavaliers Can Win If…

The Cavaliers fell to 62-16 on the season after a 120-113 home loss to the Kings on Sunday. Cleveland was a -9.5 point favorite but failed to cover the spread, and the game’s total of 233 points came in just under the line of 236.5.

After a 10-0 run put them up 48-39, Cleveland couldn’t maintain their momentum. Sacramento took control in the 3rd quarter, outscoring the Cavs 35-22. Cleveland tried to rally in the 4th, winning the quarter 34-29, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit.

In Sunday’s loss to the Kings, the Cavaliers shot 52.3% from the field, but struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 10 threes at a 26.3% clip. Ty Jerome led the way with 20 points, including 10 in the 4th quarter, while Donovan Mitchell added 19 points and 6 assists.

Jarrett Allen was efficient, shooting 77.8% and contributing 17 points. Evan Mobley chipped in 16 points, and both De’Andre Hunter and Max Strus finished with 11, with Strus scoring 6 in the final period.

Defensively, the Cavaliers had a solid 2nd quarter, allowing just 25 points, but they gave up 35 in the 3rd, leading to a 120-113 loss to the Kings. Cleveland allowed Sacramento to shoot 53% from the field.

From beyond the arc, the Cavaliers gave up 14 threes on 42% shooting. The Kings also went 18/22 from the free-throw line. Cleveland finished with 11 steals and 5 blocks.

• When looking at their past ten home matchups, Cleveland has an ATS record of 4-6 while averaging 119 per game. The team went 6-4 overall in these games.
• In their last three contests as the favorite, Cleveland has a poor record vs the spread going 1-2. But, they still put together a straight up mark of 2-1.
• In their last five games, the Cavaliers have an over/under record of 2-3 and are 1-4 vs. the spread.

The Lean

Not only do we have the Cavaliers winning this one by a score of 118-78, but we see them covering the spread. Our pick is to grab the Cavaliers at -11.5.

Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 240 and given that our model is projecting 196 points between the teams, we like the under.

Daily NBA Picks & Predictions

Cavaliers Look to Bounce Back After Missed Opportunity

Despite a stellar season (62-16), the Cavaliers failed to seal the top seed in their first attempt, falling 120-113 to the Kings. That loss marked only their second defeat in eight games.

Head coach Kenny Atkinson acknowledged the team’s lack of execution:

“I didn’t think our energy level was where we thought it would be.”

The Cavaliers still sit four games ahead of the Boston Celtics (58-20), with four games left each. A win against the Bulls would put the East’s No. 1 seed securely in Cleveland’s grasp.

Donovan Mitchell’s Impact and Injury Concerns

Donovan Mitchell, who finished with 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists against Sacramento, looked slightly off his usual rhythm, especially from beyond the arc (1-for-6). Despite a brief injury scare, Mitchell is expected to play and has a track record of dominating Chicago.

• Previous vs. Bulls:
  • Nov 11: 36 points
  • Nov 15: 37 points
  • Mar 4: 28 points

His ability to bounce back will be pivotal for Cleveland’s success.

Ty Jerome’s Return a Bright Spot

After missing five games due to a knee injury, Ty Jerome returned with a solid 20-point performance on 9-of-13 shooting. However, he echoed concerns about the team’s defensive focus:

“The game plan discipline… is where we had the most slippage.”

Chicago Bulls Riding High on Coby White’s Hot Streak

The Chicago Bulls (36-42) are not the same team that suffered three losses to Cleveland earlier this season. After the March 4 loss, Chicago responded by winning 12 of their next 16 games and now sits just behind the Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic in the play-in race.

Coby White: Emerging Star in Chicago

In their recent 131-117 win over Charlotte, Coby White exploded for 37 points, including six 3-pointers. Over the past three games, he’s averaged:

• 32 points
• 64.6% FG (31-of-48)
• 52.4% from three (11-of-21)

Coach Billy Donovan praised White’s growth:

“He’s figured out different angles… he’s keeping himself aggressive while getting others involved.”

Balanced Contributions Fuel Bulls’ Surge

• Josh Giddey: 23 points, 10 rebounds
• Nikola Vucevic: 16 points, 11 rebounds
• Team Shooting: 53.5% FG, 44.4% from 3PT

Chicago’s efficient offense and rising confidence could pose a serious threat to the Cavaliers, especially if Cleveland’s defense shows the same lapses as it did against Sacramento.

What’s at Stake Tonight?

This matchup is more than a regular season game—it’s a test of readiness, grit, and postseason form.

Final Thoughts: Will Cleveland Seal the Deal or Will Chicago Spoil the Party?

With the playoffs around the corner, every possession counts. The Cavaliers have the talent and history on their side, but the Bulls’ momentum and the rise of Coby White could complicate Cleveland’s path to the top.

It’s a must-watch showdown packed with playoff energy and storyline drama.