Game Time: 8:00 PM ET, Thursday, March 31st, 2022 

Venue:  United Center, Chicago, Illinois

Where to Watch: NBA League pass

DraftKings:  Spread:  Bulls -3.5; O/U 223

Fanduel:  Spread:  Bulls -3.5; O/U 222.5

BetMGM:  Spread: Bulls -3.5: O/U 222.5

Clippers: 37-39, 8th place Western Conference

Bulls: 44-32, 5th place Eastern Conference

An NBA non-conference matchup between likely playoff teams represents a real challenge for both.  The Los Angeles Clippers almost lost their last game… almost.  The Clippers went down by 25 POINTS to the Utah Jazz at one point… and then… and then… and then… They came back to win.  It is the 4th time this season that the Clippers have come back from a 25 point deficit to win a game And it was a win ATS… In the entire league there are only 7 such comebacks this season… the Clippers hold more than 50% of them!  The Clippers are a scary team because they are never out of it.  They will never back down.  They will never bow and give you an easy night.  Also the Clippers got SF Paul George back after eight weeks removed from injury.  PG13 had 34 points in 31 minutes and was a big key to that 3rd quarter stab and 4th quarter comeback for the win!  The true star of this team IS the team.  PG Reggie Jackson may be the toughest guy in the NBA… his play is smart and emotional at the same time!  Reggie had 21 points and 5 assists and played off of C Izaiah Hartenstein perfectly.  The Clippers have Paul George back… that will take an adjustment… but they have 7 games left to get it right and they are bound for the playoffs after they squash whoever they face in the “play-in”.  The Chicago Bulls are in a much better spot than the Clippers.  The Bulls are in 5th place in the east and are guaranteed a playoff spot if they win 2-3 of their last 7 games.  They won’t have to worry about a “play-in” game. They won their last game against the Washington Wizards in a wire to wire win.. No big comeback necessary.  SF DeMar DeRozan had yet another big game with 32 points, C Nikola Vucevic had yet another “set your watch to it” good game with 27 points, 5 rbs, 4 asts.. And only had to put in 30 minutes to do it.  SG Zach LaVine had a bad game and bad shooting night… yet the deep team with strong leaders was there to prop him up.  The Bulls feel like an afterthought in the Eastern Conference, since the East has so many teams that feel like they could win it all if they get a good roll going.  The Bulls will have to fear the Clippers though…because Clips PG Reggie Jackson will be schooling Bulls rookie 2nd round pick PG Ayo Dosunmu all night.  Ayo has clearly hit the rookie wall with diminishing returns all month long.  PG Lonzo Ball is still out with injury and Zach LaVine is needed at the two guard spot.  This is a game where the Bulls could fall victim to a hungry, angry team that just got their star back.

The Los Angeles Clippers have won only 3 of their last ten games after “holding it down” with their stars out.  They went 4-6 ATS During that stretch. Still the Clippers seem primed to start winning.  With Paul George back in the fold… it only improves the play of guys like SG Luke Kennard, SF Terrence Mann (who could play PG or SG), and C Ivica Zubac.  As long as PG13 doesn’t somehow upset the growing play of Isaiah Hartenstein or somehow upset Reggie Jackson.. This is a wholly improved squad.  In just one game.

The Chicago Bulls have won only 4 of their last ten games… as the slide from 1st place in the East to 5th place in the East keeps on moving. They only went 4-6 ATS during that stretch.  Vegas has made the Bulls underdogs against teams that have won fewer games a few times recently.  We have seen that something is wrong with the chemistry.  I’ve offered the solution… which is to move PG Ayo Dosunmu to the bench and leave him there.  The kid has been amazing this season for a rookie 2nd round pick thrust into a starting role… it’s just too much at this point.  Ayo needs the break to gather his thoughts… to get a deep breath.  Ayo doesn’t need to score to be productive… but he is down across the board.  Now is the time the Bulls need to slide Zach LaVine over and trust Coby White with the two-guard spot.  They would pick up some size and some additional scoring… and they need a change.  Additionally, SF Patrick Williams seems very rusty since his return from missing the entire season so far.  That is to be expected, but it’s time to force that issue as well.. Patrick can’t have 25 minutes of play with a 6 point outing.  He needs to sit longer and play in spots.

Al McMordie SWEPT THE BOARD yesterday with HUGE WINS on Xavier (NIT Game of the Year) and the Los Angeles Clippers. Big Al's 15-6 his last 21, and is unloading Wednesday on not 1, not 2, but 3 awesome NBA Winners out of 17-1, 7-0 and 36-21 ATS angles. Get all 3 NBA Winners right now, and TRIPLE YOUR PLEASURE tonight! Go get it! Get Big Al’s picks!   You can discover the best  picks right now at the Shop Picks page, where you can find all of the Best Bets from our champion sports handicappers. NCAAF, NFL, MLB, college football… get positive value from all your bets! Expert picks!  Fun fact… winning a wager is much better than making a wager!

The Clippers are 37-39 on the season, but 37-39 ATS.  They have logged 35 Overs, 38 Unders, and 3 Push.  They are 16-23 on the road.

The Bulls are 44-32 on the season, but 40-35-1 ATS.  They have notched 35 Overs, 40 Unders, and 1 Push.  They are a fantastic 26-10 in home games. 

The Clippers are 26th in scoring with 106.8 ppg, 21st in rebounds with 43.8 per game, and 21st in AST/TO ratio with 1.7.  On defense they rank 11th while holding opponents to 108.4 ppg.

The Bulls are 12th in scoring with 111.4 ppg, 28th in rebounding with 42.4 per game, and 8th in AST/To ratio with 1.9.  On defense they rank 15th while allowing 110.9 ppg from opponents.

Our prediction for Thursday, March 31st is…. Clippers 118 - Bulls 116

The Clippers got Paul George back and he will improve their offensive AND defensive numbers as he is legitimately top-five in the league when it comes to two-way players. The Bulls are great at home, but not this night.  The Bulls are in a funk and the Clippers are feeling the vibes.  Vegas will give you a few points to put in your pocket if you bet on the Clippers and it will be smart to take it.

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The Clippers are 15-7 ATS versus Chicago at Chicago since 1996.
The Clippers are 8-2 ATS after a game they allowed 55% shooting or higher.
The Bulls are 20-8 ATS as a home favorite.

Clippers: SG Norman Powell (foot) Out ** SF Kahwi Leonard (knee) Out ** PG Brandon Boston Jr (ill) Quest

Bulls: PG Lonzo Ball (knee) Out

Clippers: PF Marcus Morris SR, SF Nicholas Batum, C Ivica Zubac, PG Reggie Jackson, SG Paul George

Bulls: PG Ayo Dosunmu, SG Zach LaVine, SF DeMar DeRozan, C Nikola Vucevic, PF JaVonte Green

Clippers: Tye Lue

Bulls: Billy Donovan