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Pelicans vs Bulls Picks and Predictions – Wednesday December 31, 2025
New Orleans heads to the United Center to face Chicago on Wednesday, December 31, with tip set for 7:00 PM on CHSN. The Pelicans are 8-26, but they’ve flashed real offensive punch when Zion Williamson is rolling and the pace stays high. Even in losses, they can put pressure on the rim and turn the game into a track meet.
Chicago is 15-17 and trying to stabilize through injuries. Coby White and Josh Giddey are expected to miss multiple games, and Zach Collins is also sidelined, which changes the Bulls’ ball-handling depth and rotation structure. This line is short for a reason. It’s basically asking who executes cleaner late in a game that could get noisy fast.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Chicago Bulls Odds
These are the current betting lines, and bettors should monitor the latest Pelicans vs Bulls odds leading into tip.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans Pelicans | -117 | -1.5 (-111) | 245.5 |
| Chicago Bulls | -103 | +1.5 (-111) | 245.5 |
New Orleans Pelicans Betting Form
New Orleans is losing games, but the offense is not the issue when the core creators are on the floor. The Knicks game was a good example. Zion put up 32 on elite efficiency and the Pelicans still got real support scoring from the perimeter. They can generate paint touches, they can get to the line, and they’re comfortable living in early offense.
From a betting angle, the Pelicans’ pace matters more than their record. They play fast, they take a lot of shots, and they lean into two-point volume. That style can cover small spreads even when the defense is leaky, because you’re creating more possessions and more variance. Derik Queen’s quick start helps the depth piece too, especially if this turns into a bench-heavy fourth quarter.
For a broader view of how their games have been trending, you can check the New Orleans Pelicans stats and results. Before betting, confirm availability on the New Orleans Pelicans injury report.
Chicago Bulls Betting Form
Chicago is coming off a blowout loss to Minnesota, but the bigger story is who they’re missing and how it changes the offense. Without White and Giddey, the Bulls are thinner on primary creation and easier to load up against in the half court. That usually shows up late, when you need one clean possession to stop a run or answer a make.
The Bulls can still score because they play fast and they rebound well enough to generate extra looks. Nikola Vučević is a stabilizer in these spots because he can punish smaller lineups and keep possessions alive. The question is whether Chicago can keep the ball moving without the usual guard rotation, or if the offense turns into tougher attempts that fuel Pelicans transition.
To track recent form and home splits, the Chicago Bulls schedule and stats page is the quickest check. Make sure you verify who’s available on the Chicago Bulls injury report before you commit to a side or total.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Chicago Bulls Matchup Breakdown
This game is built around tempo and shot volume. Both teams want to run, and that’s why the total is sitting way up at 245.5. The Pelicans are at their best when Zion is collapsing the defense and turning help into either layups, free throws, or kick-out threes. Chicago has to build a wall early or this turns into a foul-and-rotate game that gets messy fast.
On the Bulls side, the edge is size and rebounding, plus the ability to play through Vučević when guards are limited. If Chicago can slow the Pelicans just a little and win the glass, they can drag this toward a one-possession finish where points matter more than clean defense.
A few things I’m watching that swing both the spread and the total:
- Chicago’s turnover rate with the short-handed guard rotation
- New Orleans’ free throw volume early, especially if the Bulls are forced into help defense
- Whether the Pelicans get live-ball steals that create runouts
- Fourth-quarter shot quality if this becomes a grind instead of a sprint
If you want a quick framework for how pace, foul rate, and late-game variance should affect totals, the NBA betting guide is useful for those spots.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Chicago Bulls Predictions and Best Bets
My lean is Bulls +1.5. The number is small, and Chicago at home with a functional interior scoring option can hang around even if the guard rotation is patched together. If the Bulls can keep turnovers under control, they’ll get enough shots to make the underdog ticket feel live for 48 minutes.
On the total, I lean under 245.5. Both teams play fast, but this number is asking for a near-perfect scoring environment: high pace, high efficiency, and a whistle that keeps the clock stopped. If Chicago’s offense gets a little sticky without its usual creators, you can wind up with long possessions and empty trips that keep the combined score closer to the low 240s.
This is also a game where live betting can be cleaner than pregame. If the first six minutes show a loose whistle and easy rim pressure, the over becomes more viable. If it’s physical and both teams are settling for jumpers, the under is in great shape and the +1.5 becomes more valuable.
Best Bet: Bulls +1.5 (-111)
NBA Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
For the rest of the slate, start with the NBA picks page to compare sides and totals across matchups, then use the NBA previews hub to keep the handicap tied to the number.
If you want to follow proven records instead of guessing who’s hot, check the best handicappers page and confirm current form on the leaderboard. For packaged plays, you can browse buy picks, and the NBA teams hub is the fastest way to jump between team pages when you’re comparing form. If you want a broad refresher on market basics that still matter when you’re betting spreads and totals, the expert betting guide is a good baseline.
