Brooklyn Nets vs. Chicago Bulls: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 2/24/2023

Time: 8 p.m. ET

Venue: United Center, Chicago, IL

Where to watch: NBCSCH, YES

DraftKings: Bulls -1.5; CHI -130, BKN +110

FanDuel: Bulls -1.5; CHI -124, BKN +106

BetMGM: Bulls -1.5; CHI -125, BKN +105

Caesars: Bulls -1.5; CHI -125, BKN +105

Nets: 34-24

Bulls: 26-33

The All-Star break is over in the NBA and it's time to get on the horse and finish up the final home stretch of the season. Big trades, uncertainty, and absolute hilarity across the board all gearing up for the final home stretch of this season. You know who is also gearing up for the home stretch? Our champion handicappers at bigal.com who are ready to win their way all the way to the playoffs. There's a lot going on that we can't wait for in these final 23-25 games and you're going to need every bit of hardcore analysis you can get from this group. Just in the last 30 days we've had some big winners. Doc's Sports has posted a 16-6-0 record in the last month (+$9,200). AAA Sports has killed it at 17-8-0, and then Al McMordie with a dominant 20-11-1 mark over the last 30 days. Everything you need to know and more about what's going on this league and sports in general will be a fun finish to the end. All you have to do is go to bigal.com and find our Best Bets page and put forth something that only you think is good. Here's a hint: Go to the bigal.com website and happy betting!

Nets: won 116-105 vs. Heat

Bulls: lost 112-100 vs. Bucks

The journey of the Brooklyn Nets continues as they resume from the All-Star break, hitting the road to take on the Chicago Bulls at United Center on Friday. The drama-free Nets are back at it, which should that really make them any exciting? I guess we’ll find out.

 

But if the Nets keep getting performances like they did from Mikal Bridges in the final game before the break, they’ll be in good shape. Bridges dropped a career-high 45 in the 116-105 win over the Miami Heat before the All-Star break. Trade two All-Stars, get a guy that plays like one. To me, that’s some good math.

 

In addition to the 45 points, Bridges had eight rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks. That’s a man that knows how to play ball at both ends, as most basketball aficionados would understand. Cam Johnson had 18 points, and Cam Thomas had 19 points in 21 minutes off the bench.

 

“I think overall just his spirit and energy and juice, even at our walkthrough today, like he had the mindset it seemed like he wasn’t going to let us lose,” Nets coach Jacque Vaughn said.

 

The Nets are treading water. They’re fifth in the East, but you’d be skeptic too if you just traded Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving and basically hit the full reset on your franchise. But they’re still in a playoff spot with this roster of rag-tag players that might still have enough of an impact to make something happen.

 

“You traded a future Hall of Famer that averaged damn near 30 for his career, so I’m just trying to continue to get better and get to a point where I can score a little more,” Bridges said.

 

But at least if you’re going to play a team that’s struggling and you need another win to keep building that confidence, the Bulls would be the team to do it against. Chicago lost their sixth straight game entering the break, 112-100 to the Giannis Antetokounmpo-less Milwaukee Bucks. So that’s how you know things are bad there. Nikola Vucevic had 22 points and 12 rebounds, and Zach LaVine had 18 points despite shooting 5 of 16.

 

“We're not just throwing in the towel,” LaVine said. “I don't think we have the type of team or personnel to do that. Losing hurts.”

 

Losing should hurt for a team that had high playoff aspirations last year, but the Bulls are just got that great and I’m shocked they did not do anything at the trade deadline. Sell off your guys who are good, get some assets. Do something. But the Bulls somehow believe in this core that shouldn’t have gotten so much play to begin with. And it’s excruciating.

 

This is a perfect chance for the Nets to utilize their strengths on the perimeter to knock down the Bulls. And a very good chance, I’d say to overwhelm them. Nets 116, Bulls 100

Nets are 29-18 ATS as a road underdog in the last 3 seasons.

Nets are 11-1 ATS after 2 straight overs this season.

Bulls are 37-23 ATS as a home favorite the last 3 seasons.

PG: Spencer Dinwiddie

SG: Mikal Bridges

SF: Cameron Johnson

PF: Dorian Finney-Smith

C: Nic Claxton

PG: Ayo Dosunmu

SG: Zach LaVine

SF: DeMar DeRozan

PF: Patrick Williams

C: Nikola Vucevic