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The Charlotte Hornets travel to the United Center this Tuesday night, February 24, for an Eastern Conference clash with the Chicago Bulls. Charlotte currently sits at 27-31 and is riding high after a momentum-shifting 129-112 win over the Washington Wizards. That victory was fueled by an explosive performance from LaMelo Ball, who seems to be finding his stride at the perfect time for a Hornets team looking to climb back into the play-in conversation.
The situation in Chicago is much more dire. The Bulls enter this 8:00 PM tip-off on FDSS mired in a miserable nine-game losing streak. At 24-34, Billy Donovan’s squad is searching for any spark to reignite a season that is quickly slipping away. Despite the contrasting recent forms, the oddsmakers have set this line at a substantial 8.5 points in favor of the road team, which is a massive number for a Hornets group that has struggled with consistency of their own this year.
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Charlotte Hornets vs Chicago Bulls Odds
Current market trends have the Hornets as heavy road favorites, but laying nearly nine points on the road in the NBA is always a sweat. Bettors should keep an eye on the latest NBA odds as we get closer to the jump, as any movement toward the Bulls could indicate sharp money backing the home dog to keep it respectable.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Charlotte Hornets | -326 | -8.5 (-111) | O 229.5 (-110) |
| Chicago Bulls | +264 | +8.5 (-109) | U 229.5 (-110) |
Charlotte Hornets Betting Form
The Hornets’ offense is finally looking like the version many expected before the season started. LaMelo Ball is coming off a masterpiece where he dropped 37 points and a career-high 10 triples. When Ball is shooting the rock like that, it opens up everything for Kon Knueppel, who just added 28 points of his own. Charlotte is currently second in the league in three-pointers made per game, hitting them at a 37.5 percent clip. You can check out more of their shooting splits and trends on the Charlotte Hornets stats and results page.
Reinforcements have also arrived at the right time. The return of Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate from suspensions provides much-needed length and athleticism to the frontcourt. This should help shore up a defense that has occasionally been leaky. I think it is important to monitor the Charlotte Hornets injury report to ensure no late-season rotations or minor knocks disrupt this newfound rhythm before tip-off.
Chicago Bulls Betting Form
It has been a rough month for the Bulls, but the box scores suggest they are still competing. Their recent six-point loss to the Knicks showed some defensive grit, even if the result wasn’t there. Guerschon Yabusele has been a bright spot on the glass, recently hauling in 13 rebounds, while Patrick Williams is showing more as a secondary playmaker with his eight-assist outing. For a deeper look at their home-court performance during this skid, visit the Chicago Bulls schedule and stats page.
The Bulls actually possess some offensive metrics that could bother Charlotte. They rank fifth in three-pointers made and eighth in percentage, which means they can keep pace in a shootout if the shots are falling. Rob Dillingham is likely to see increased minutes, and his scoring punch off the bench could be the “X-factor” Chicago needs. Make sure to check the Chicago Bulls injury report to see if any late scratches might further thin out Billy Donovan’s rotation.
Charlotte Hornets vs Chicago Bulls Matchup Breakdown
This game is going to be a battle of two high-volume perimeter attacks. Both teams are in the top five in the league for three-pointers made, so expect a lot of long-range attempts and potentially long rebounds that lead to transition opportunities. Charlotte has the edge in recent efficiency, but Chicago’s fast pace (scoring over 116 points per game) ensures they are rarely truly out of a game.
The defensive side is where things get ugly. Chicago allows 120.3 points per game, which is a major reason why they find themselves on a nine-game slide. Charlotte isn’t much better at 113.7 points allowed per game. Perhaps the most telling factor is whether Chicago can stay competitive on the boards against a Charlotte team that just got its primary rebounders back. If Yabusele can repeat his double-digit rebounding performance, the Bulls might be able to limit Charlotte’s second-chance points.
- Charlotte’s #2 ranked 3-point volume vs. Chicago’s #5 rank.
- The return of Bridges and Diabate to the Charlotte frontcourt.
- Chicago’s desperation to end a nine-game losing streak at home.
- LaMelo Ball’s recent scoring surge and perimeter dominance.
I think the pace is going to be incredibly high. Both teams want to push the ball and avoid the half-court grind. If you’re interested in how these pace-driven matchups affect betting lines, checking an NBA betting guide can help you identify value in these high-total situations.
Charlotte Hornets vs Chicago Bulls Predictions and Best Bets
While the Hornets are the better team right now, 8.5 points is a lot to give a home team in the NBA, especially one that can shoot the three like Chicago. The Bulls are scoring more points per game than Charlotte on average this season (116.1 vs 115.6), and I think their desperation to end this losing streak will keep them within the number. I’m taking the Bulls at +8.5, banking on their ability to match Charlotte’s scoring in a fast-paced environment.
Regarding the total of 229.5, the Over feels like the only way to look. You have two teams that prioritize the three-point line and two defenses that consistently rank in the bottom half of the league. With both teams giving up over 113 points per game and looking to push the tempo, this has the makings of a 125-120 type of game. I’ll take the Over and expect plenty of highlights from Ball and Dillingham.
Secondary leans would be on LaMelo Ball’s points total if it sits anywhere near 25, as Chicago’s perimeter defense has been non-existent lately.
Best Bet: Bulls +8.5 (-109)
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