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The Chicago Bulls return to the United Center this Thursday night desperate to halt a season-defining slide. Chicago has dropped 10 consecutive games, a tailspin that began shortly after the calendar flipped to February. Their most recent outing was a demoralizing 131-99 loss to Charlotte, leaving them at 24-35 and sitting 12th in the Eastern Conference. The Portland Trail Blazers arrive in the Windy City with a 28-31 record, currently holding onto the 9th spot in the Western Conference. Despite a close 124-121 loss to Minnesota on Tuesday, Portland has been trending upward, winning five of their last eight contests.
This matchup features two rosters that look significantly different than they did a month ago. Chicago is still reeling from a trade deadline fire sale that saw core pieces like Nikola Vucevic and Coby White shipped out, while Portland is navigating life without All-Star Deni Avdija. The Blazers open as -4.0 favorites on the road with a moneyline of -176, while the Bulls are +146 home underdogs. With a total set at a lofty 235.5, oddsmakers are expecting plenty of points between two teams that rank in the top ten for pace but struggle significantly on the defensive end of the floor.
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Portland Trail Blazers vs Chicago Bulls Odds
Bettors should keep a close eye on the latest NBA odds as tip-off approaches, as the status of several key rotation players could swing these numbers by a point or two before the 8:00 PM ET start.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Portland Trail Blazers | -176 | -4.0 (-111) | O 235.5 (-110) |
| Chicago Bulls | +146 | +4.0 (-110) | U 235.5 (-110) |
Portland Trail Blazers Betting Form
Portland has found some offensive rhythm recently, even with Deni Avdija sidelined. They play a high-possession style, ranking 9th in the league in pace, and they aren’t afraid to let it fly from deep, ranking 3rd in three-point attempts per game. Jerami Grant and Jrue Holiday provide a veteran stabilizing force, while Scoot Henderson continues to develop as a primary playmaker. Their ability to compete at a high level was evident in their recent narrow loss to a full-strength Timberwolves squad, where they showed they could trade punches with the West’s best.
However, the Blazers are still dealing with some significant depth issues. Beyond the absence of Avdija, Shaedon Sharpe remains out for the foreseeable future. The frontcourt is also a bit of a question mark; you should check the Portland Trail Blazers injury report for the status of Robert Williams III, as his rim protection is vital for their defensive schemes. For more on their road performance and ATS trends, the Portland Trail Blazers schedule and stats page offers a clear view of how they’ve handled being favorites away from home this season.
Chicago Bulls Betting Form
The Bulls are essentially a team in the middle of an identity crisis. Trading away half the roster at the deadline has left Head Coach Billy Donovan with a patchwork rotation. The bright spot has been rookie Matas Buzelis, who is fresh off a career-high 32-point performance. Buzelis is proving he can be a focal point, but he lacks a consistent supporting cast right now. Injuries to recent acquisitions Jaden Ivey and Anfernee Simons have robbed the Bulls of the backcourt scoring they expected to have post-deadline, leaving Collin Sexton to carry a massive load.
Chicago ranks 5th in possessions per game, meaning they are playing fast and loose, but their defensive coordination has been non-existent during this 10-game losing streak. They are bleeding points at the rim and on the perimeter. It’s also worth noting that Patrick Williams and Jalen Smith are doubtful, further thinning an already depleted frontcourt. Check the Chicago Bulls injury report for any surprise activations, but expect a lot of minutes for the younger developmental players. To see how these new pieces are gelling statistically, visit the Chicago Bulls stats and results hub.
Portland Trail Blazers vs Chicago Bulls Matchup Breakdown
This game is going to be a track meet. Both teams are in the top ten for pace, and neither has shown much interest in slowing things down or digging in defensively. Portland has a massive advantage in the backcourt with the veteran savvy of Jrue Holiday and the athleticism of Henderson, which should allow them to exploit Chicago’s 7th-ranked three-point volume if the Bulls’ shooters go cold.
- Transition Scoring: Portland’s ability to turn defensive rebounds into quick points could be the difference. Donovan Clingan has been a beast on the boards lately, and his outlet passing will test Chicago’s transition defense.
- The Buzelis Factor: If Matas Buzelis can replicate his 32-point efficiency, the Bulls have enough “puncher’s chance” scoring to keep this within the four-point spread.
- Second Chance Points: Portland ranks 8th in rebounding. Against a Chicago team that has traded away its best rebounders, the Blazers should dominate the glass.
If you’re looking to sharpen your approach to betting high-total games between struggling defenses, an NBA betting guide can help you identify when a total has been inflated too far by public perception.
Portland Trail Blazers vs Chicago Bulls Predictions and Best Bets
While Chicago is due for a win eventually, it’s hard to bet on a team that has lost 10 straight and is currently missing its two newest stars in Ivey and Simons. Portland is the more cohesive unit right now, and they have the veteran leadership in Jerami Grant to close out games on the road. I think Portland’s rebounding edge and Chicago’s lack of interior depth will be the deciding factors. That said, 4.0 is a short spread, and the Bulls’ home-court desperation usually counts for something in these spots. I like the Bulls to keep it close enough to cover the +4.0, even if they don’t snap the streak.
The real value, however, is on the total. Both teams allow over 118 points per game and both play at a top-tier pace. With Portland’s high volume of three-point shots and Chicago’s fast-break style, 235.5 might actually be a little low. I expect a final score somewhere in the neighborhood of 122-119. Neither team possesses the defensive discipline required to stay under this number if the shots are falling early.
Best Bet: Over 235.5 (-110)
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NBA Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
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