Chicago Bulls vs Minnesota Timberwolves Picks and Predictions December 29th

The Minnesota Timberwolves visit the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on Monday, December 29, 2025, with tipoff set for 8:00 PM on FDSN. Minnesota is 20-12 and sitting sixth in the West, but it is coming off a flat loss to Brooklyn where the game got away early and never really came back. That matters because this team has been at its best when it brings energy on defense first, not when it tries to shoot its way out of trouble.

Chicago is 15-16 and ninth in the East, looking to bounce back after losing to Milwaukee and having a five-game win streak snapped. The Bulls play fast, they play loose, and at home they can make you defend for 48 minutes if your transition coverage is sloppy. This is also a spot where Minnesota’s maturity shows up, or doesn’t, because Chicago will try to speed the game up and turn it into a possession contest.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs Chicago Bulls Odds

These are the current betting lines, and bettors should always monitor updated numbers and movement on the latest NBA odds.

Team	Moneyline	Spread	Total
Minnesota Timberwolves	-221	-5.5 (-111)	O 239.5
Chicago Bulls	+185	+5.5 (-111)	U 239.5

Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Form

Minnesota’s offense is good, not elite, but good enough to win most nights when the defense is locked in. They’re at 118.8 points per game and they shoot 36.8% from three, which gives them spacing and lets Anthony Edwards play downhill instead of forcing everything in traffic. Even in the Brooklyn loss, Edwards’ scoring showed up again, and Julius Randle’s passing has become a real part of how they stabilize possessions when the game slows.

The betting angle with Minnesota usually comes down to defensive consistency. They allow 114.7 points per game and they’re top five in opponent field goal percentage at 45.8%, which tells you they can shrink the floor when they want to. If they show up with focus, they can force Chicago into tougher looks late in the clock and keep the Bulls from living in transition. If they don’t, you get the version that gives up early runs and starts pressing.

For recent trends, splits, and how Minnesota has been grading in these spots, check the Minnesota Timberwolves stats and results. Availability matters here, so monitor the Minnesota Timberwolves injury report before tipoff.

Player	Status	Reason
Terrence Shannon Jr.	Out	Left foot abductor hallucis strain
Rocco Zikarsky	Out	G League two-way

Chicago Bulls Betting Form

Chicago plays with pace, ranking third in possessions per game, and that pace is the foundation of their scoring profile. They’re at 118.8 points per game and shooting 47.5% from the field, and the way they get there is by pushing tempo, creating early offense, and letting their guards attack before a defense is set. Josh Giddey and Coby White are the drivers of that style, and when White’s conditioning is right, the Bulls’ scoring pressure changes quickly.

The issue is what happens when the game becomes half-court and physical. Chicago can still score, but the efficiency dips, and defensive lapses start to matter more. Against Milwaukee, the Bulls had stretches where they looked fine, then a few possessions of bad transition defense and missed box-outs turned into separation. That’s why backing Chicago as a dog can be tricky. You need them to play a clean game for longer than they usually do.

For form, home splits, and recent results, the Chicago Bulls schedule and stats page is the quickest reference. Availability matters here too, so keep an eye on the Chicago Bulls injury report before you bet.

Player	Status	Reason
Josh Giddey	Probable	Left ankle sprain
Zach Collins	Out	Right first toe soreness
Noa Essengue	Out	Left shoulder surgery
Trentyn Flowers	Out	Right knee hyperextension
Emanuel Miller	Out	G League two-way
Lachlan Olbrich	Out	Left ankle sprain

Minnesota Timberwolves vs Chicago Bulls Matchup Breakdown

This is a pace battle first. Chicago wants to run and turn the game into a high-possession track where shot volume and rhythm matter more than execution. Minnesota would rather play with control, get set on defense, and force Chicago into longer possessions where the Wolves’ length and discipline show up. Both teams are on normal rest, so fatigue isn’t the headline. Style is.

Shot profile matters here too. Minnesota’s offense is comfortable living off threes and Edwards rim pressure, while Chicago’s pace creates a lot of mixed looks that depend on how quickly they can get into actions. If Minnesota is connected in transition, it can take away the easy stuff and make Chicago beat them with late-clock jumpers. That’s where the Wolves’ defensive numbers usually translate into spread value.

The matchup edges I keep coming back to:

• Minnesota’s ability to defend without giving up clean early-clock looks
• Chicago’s pace, because it can create a backdoor window even in a losing script
• Perimeter containment, especially if Giddey is limited at all and Chicago’s creation narrows

If you want a deeper framework for how pace, efficiency, and matchup profile should influence sides and totals, the NBA betting guide is a solid reference, especially for games where the total is pricing in a specific tempo.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs Chicago Bulls Predictions and Best Bets

I lean Minnesota on the spread. The number is not cheap, but it’s also pricing Minnesota as the more stable team, and I think that’s fair. Chicago can absolutely keep this close for long stretches, especially at home, but Minnesota’s defense gives it a better path to separate when the game tightens. If the Wolves avoid a slow start, this is the kind of matchup where they can win the middle quarters and keep control.

The total is interesting at 239.5. Chicago’s pace pushes you toward an over instinct, but Minnesota’s defensive profile pushes the other way. If Minnesota dictates tempo even a little and forces more half-court possessions, 239.5 starts to look inflated. The risk is obvious, though. If the Bulls get out and run, and if Minnesota’s transition defense slips, this can turn into a points game fast.

Giddey’s availability matters because it affects Chicago’s ability to pressure the rim and create easy offense for others. If he’s truly probable and looks normal, Chicago’s offense gets steadier. If he’s limited, Minnesota’s ability to take away the first action becomes more valuable and I’d feel better about the Wolves covering.

Best Bet: Minnesota Timberwolves -5.5 (-111).

NBA Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats

If you’re betting NBA nightly, the edge usually comes from tracking price and staying disciplined when late news shifts the market. The today’s NBA picks page helps with that by giving you a slate-wide view so you can compare opinions and avoid forcing a play just because a game is on TV.

It also helps to have one hub for quick context when you’re moving between matchups. The league-wide NBA team pages make it easier to check form, splits, and recent results without bouncing around.

And if you’re thinking beyond single-game bets, futures are where market overreactions show up during the season. Checking NBA championship odds and predictions can help you spot shifts in pricing tied to injuries, standings, and role changes.