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The Chicago Bulls head into Barclays Center this Monday night looking like a completely different squad than the one we saw just a few weeks ago. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 PM on YES, and for bettors, this is a tricky game to handicap given the massive roster turnover in Chicago. The Bulls currently sit at 24-29 and are desperately trying to snap a four-game losing streak, while the 14-37 Brooklyn Nets are coming off a rare blowout win over Washington and looking to see if their young core can string two performances together.
It is a strange situation where the Bulls dominated this matchup back in mid-January, but almost none of the key contributors from that win are still in the building. Chicago enters as a -170 favorite on the moneyline with the spread sitting at -4.0, while the total is currently hung at 223.5. This game features two teams heading in opposite directions of a rebuild, making it a pure measurement of which collection of new parts can find chemistry first in the New York spotlight.
Brooklyn Nets vs Chicago Bulls Odds
These are the current betting lines as of Monday morning, and I always suggest that bettors monitor the latest NBA odds right up until tip-off because these numbers can move quickly based on late scratch news.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Chicago Bulls | -170 | -4 (-113) | O 223.5 (-110) |
| Brooklyn Nets | +145 | +4 (-109) | U 223.5 (-110) |
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Chicago Bulls Betting Form
The Bulls are essentially a science experiment right now. Since the trade deadline, they have moved on from the Vucevic and Coby White era, opting for a younger, more explosive backcourt featuring Anfernee Simons and Jaden Ivey. While the ceiling for this group might be higher long-term, the current results are a bit of a mess, specifically on the defensive end. They have lost seven of their last eight games and the defensive metrics are frightening, as they just allowed Denver to shoot over 57% from the field.
Coach Billy Donovan has been vocal about the missed assignments and poor spacing, which is expected when you have seven new players trying to learn a system on the fly. However, from a betting perspective, their offensive pace remains high. They are currently 5th in possessions per game and have enough individual scoring talent with Collin Sexton and Simons to stay in games, even when the defense fails. You can track their progress through the Chicago Bulls stats and results to see if the efficiency starts to catch up with the volume.
The depth is there, as evidenced by seven players scoring in double figures in their recent loss to the Nuggets. The issue is whether they can stop anyone at the rim. They are getting beat badly in the paint and the rotation is still very fluid. Make sure to check the Chicago Bulls injury report to see if any of the newcomers are dealing with minor knocks that could limit their minutes in this back-to-back type environment.
Brooklyn Nets Betting Form
Brooklyn is in the middle of a hard reset, but they looked surprisingly cohesive in their 127-113 win over the Wizards. They put up 80 points in the first half of that game, which is wild for a team with their record. The offense is heavily built around the three-point line, where they rank 6th in the league in attempts. When guys like Michael Porter Jr. and rookie Danny Wolf are hitting, they can beat anyone, but the floor is incredibly low when those shots don’t fall.
The Nets’ defense is actually quite disciplined at the perimeter, ranking 1st in the league in limiting opponent three-point attempts. This creates an interesting dynamic against a Bulls team that loves to launch from deep. The integration of Josh Minott and Ochai Agbaji gives them some much-needed wing depth, but the real story is the play of their rookies. Nolan Traore and Egor Demin are getting a ton of run in the backcourt, and while they are talented, the lack of veteran leadership usually shows up in the fourth quarter.
If you are looking at the Brooklyn Nets schedule and stats, you will see a lot of red, but they have been a decent home underdog play lately. They play hard for Jordi Fernández, even if the talent isn’t always there. It is worth keeping an eye on the Brooklyn Nets injury report to confirm if the young rotation stays intact, as any missing piece for a team this thin can drastically change the handicap.
Brooklyn Nets vs Chicago Bulls Matchup Breakdown
This matchup is going to be played at a very fast clip. Chicago wants to run, and Brooklyn doesn’t have the interior presence to slow them down. The Bulls’ ability to generate steals, where they rank 3rd in the NBA, could be the deciding factor here. If Sexton and Ivey can turn over the young Brooklyn guards, it will lead to easy transition buckets that negate Chicago’s half-court execution issues.
Brooklyn’s best path to a cover is to win the math game. If they can continue their high volume of three-point shooting and exploit a Bulls defense that has been allowing nearly 47% from deep over the last four games, the Nets can keep this within a possession. However, Chicago’s offensive rebounding and free-throw rate give them a much higher floor. Perhaps the Bulls are a bit disjointed, but they have more ways to score when the game slows down.
- Chicago is 5th in pace, while Brooklyn ranks 1st in three-point defense.
- The Bulls’ defense is allowing 53.7% shooting over their last four games.
- Brooklyn recently scored 66 points in the paint, a season-high that might be repeatable against this Bulls frontline.
For those looking to refine their approach to these types of mid-season matchups, checking an NBA betting guide can help you understand how to weigh recent trade deadline moves against season-long data. The reality is that the Bulls are the more talented team on paper, but the chemistry is a massive question mark.
Brooklyn Nets vs Chicago Bulls Predictions and Best Bets
I think the line of -4.0 is actually a bit generous to the Nets. I know the Bulls have been struggling to find their footing with the new roster, but the individual talent gap between Anfernee Simons and the Brooklyn rookies is significant. Chicago is 1-7 recently, which has suppressed this price. If this game were played three weeks ago, the spread would likely be double digits. I expect the Bulls to exploit the Nets’ lack of rim protection and finally get back into the win column with a bit of a cushion.
Regarding the total, the 223.5 feels low. Both of these teams are playing at a high pace and neither seems interested in playing defense right now. Chicago is giving up points in bunches, and Brooklyn’s offense is currently riding high after a 127-point performance. The Bulls’ new-look offense has plenty of shooters, and I think we see a game that finishes somewhere in the 230s.
I’m laying the points with the visitors here. Chicago’s offensive depth should eventually overwhelm a Nets team that is still very much in the “evaluation” phase of their season. I don’t love the Bulls’ defense, but I think they score enough to make it a non-factor.
Best Bet: Chicago Bulls -4 (-113).
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NBA Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you find this matchup as complicated as the oddsmakers do, you should definitely check out the today’s NBA picks from our seasoned pros. The NBA season is a long grind, and having access to a handicapper leaderboard allows you to see exactly who has been crushing the spread and who is seeing the board clearly during this post-trade deadline chaos.
Following top sports handicappers gives you a massive edge because they are tracking rotation shifts and coaching adjustments that the casual bettor often misses. Whether you want to buy expert picks or just see the consensus on the total, the transparency at ScoresAndStats is second to none. It’s always better to have an expert perspective when you’re dealing with teams like the Bulls and Nets that are undergoing major identity shifts.
