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Cleveland Cavaliers vs Chicago Bulls: NBA Thursday Betting Preview

Ryan Murphy

by Ryan Murphy in NBA Basketball

Updated Apr 27, 2020 · 2:12 PM PDT

Cleveland PF Kevin Love shooting a jumper
Kevin Love goes for two against Robin Lopez and the Bulls. Photo by Erik Drost (Flickr)

Thinking of wagering on the NBA this Thursday night? We’ll walk you through best matchup on the Association’s platter, from a moneyline hors d’oeuvre to an ATS entree to a tasty over/under parfait for dessert. Today we focus on the Cavaliers vs Bulls from Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland (7:00 PM ET). 

The 2017-18 season has been full of unexpected storylines, but surely none have been more surprising than the resurrection of the Bulls. Chicago has now won seven consecutive games after beginning the season 3-20.

The team’s unlikely savior has been Nikola Mirotic, who missed the first two months of the season after getting coldcocked by teammate Bobby Portis and briefly considered not returning to the team. The 6’10” Montenegrin is averaging 19.6 points and 7.7 rebounds per game on 52-percent shooting, and has earned the trust and admiration of his young teammates.

“Niko has brought a confidence to this team,” Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said after Monday’s win against the 76ers. “You see our bench really rallying behind him when he’s out there making plays. You see the guys on the floor celebrating together when he makes the big plays. I give Niko a lot of credit; he’s been awesome, especially since he’s been back in the lineup. When you’ve got guys out there playing with confidence, that rubs off on the whole team.”

The Cavaliers have been enjoying a nice run of their own lately. Cleveland has won 18 of its last 20 games, and sits second in the Eastern Conference behind the Celtics. Much like the Bulls, the Cavs have also bounced back from a rocky start thanks to the inspired play of LeBron James. The 13-time All-Star is posting his highest scoring average in nine seasons and is also averaging career-highs in assists, blocks, and three-point percentage. His ability to elevate his game well into his 15th season is practically unheard of, and has many pundits reconsidering his place in history.

James has been aided in his quest for a fourth title by Dwyane Wade, who has become the unquestioned leader of Cleveland’s potent second unit. The former Finals MVP is averaging 11.4 points and four assists in 23.7 minutes per game, and scored 24 points when he faced the Bulls earlier this month.

“It’s a luxury to have a guy like that coming off the bench,” James said following Tuesday’s night’s loss to the Bucks. “It’s almost like Montana and Steve Young, if you’re old enough.”

James’ analogy perfectly underscores the age discrepancy between the veteran Cavs and the upstart Bulls. Cleveland has the oldest roster in the league, while Chicago has the second youngest. Experience generally trumps youth, but James and co. have fallen prey this year to younger and more athletic teams like the Pacers and Bucks. It should be fascinating to see what happens tonight if they’re forced to run with the Bulls.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Chicago Bulls Team Stats

OFFENSE

Cavs vs Bulls offensive stats

DEFENSE

Cavs vs Bulls defensive stats

Head-to-Head Results

The Cavs defeated the Bulls 119-112 during their first meeting of the season on October 24th. James started at point guard for the first time since 2012 and led the way with 34 points and 13 assists. Kevin Love chipped in 20 points and 12 rebounds, and Dwyane Wade contributed 11 points and four dimes in his first game as a reserve.

The Cavs and Bulls tangled again on December 4th, and once again, Cleveland came out on top with a convincing 113-91 victory. Love and Wade scored 24 points each, and James had 23 on 9-15 shooting. The game was never in doubt as the Cavs started out strong and held a commanding 16-point lead at the half. Afterwards, Wade downplayed the significance of playing in his hometown just months after agreeing to a buyout with the Bulls. “This is a good one to come here for me and play well, but our team is the most important thing,” he said. “So, no statements. No storylines.”

Recent Results

CAVALIERS:  The Cavs lost to the Bucks 119-116 on Tuesday night in Milwaukee. Cleveland trailed by 20 points early in the fourth quarter before mounting a furious comeback keyed by Wade, who scored nine of his 14 points in the game’s final frame. James piled up 39 points and seven assists, and Love had 21 points and ten rebounds in the losing effort.

BULLS: The Bulls downed the Magic 112-94 on Wednesday night to win their seventh straight game. Denzel Valentine led a balanced attack with 16 points and ten rebounds, and was one of six Chicago players to score in doubles figures. The Bulls began the game on a dominant 12-0 run and had a 30-point lead late in the fourth quarter before the Magic put together a mini run.

Notable Injuries and Absences

CAVALIERS: Derrick Rose, Isaiah Thomas, Iman Shumpert

Derrick Rose is back with the Cavs and is continuing to rehab his injured left ankle. The team has yet to release a timetable for his return. Isaiah Thomas has been assigned to the Cav’s G League affiliate and is expected to participate in five-on-five practices for the first time since joining the franchise. Iman Shumpert has resumed shooting drills following surgery to his left knee. He is expected to return to full-time duty in another six weeks.

BULLS: Zach Lavine, Cameron Payne

Zach Lavine has returned to practice, but is unlikely to play again until January. Cameron Payne is still six weeks away from practicing as he continues to rehab from a second surgery on his right foot.

Betting the Moneyline

BEST CAVALIERS MONEYLINE:

You can get the Cavs at -700.

BEST BULLS MONEYLINE:

The Bulls are listed at +550.

CAVALIERS STRAIGHT UP TRENDS

  • Cleveland is 13-4 SU at home this season
  • Cleveland is 8-2 SU in its last ten games
  • Cleveland is 18-8 SU as a favorite this season
  • Cleveland is 17-7 SU in conference games
  • Cleveland is 5-3 SU after a loss this season
  • Cleveland is 14-4 SU on one day of rest this season

 

BULLS STRAIGHT UP TRENDS

  • Chicago is 3-12 SU on the road this season
  • Chicago is 7-3 SU in its last ten games
  • Chicago is 8-19 SU as an underdog this season
  • Chicago is 9-8 SU in conference games
  • Chicago is 6-3 SU after a win this season
  • Chicago is 1-4 SU on zero days of rest this season

 

EXPERT MONEYLINE ADVICE: CAVALIERS

It’s time to pump the breaks on the Bulls’ bandwagon. Yes, Chicago has been red hot lately, but it’s worth examining the teams they’ve beaten during their seven-game streak. Charlotte was playing without Frank Kaminsky and Cody Zeller; the Knicks were without Tim Hardaway Jr.; the Celtics were missing MVP candidate Kyrie Irving; the Jazz were without Joe Johnson; Joel Embiid was resting for the Sixers; and the Magic were missing leading scorers Evan Fournier and Aaron Gordon.

The Cavs are missing players, as well, but they’re finally close to full strength thanks to the recent return of Tristan Thompson, who had nine points and five boards against Milwaukee. The Texas product has one of the best motors in the league and gives Cleveland a versatile, long-limbed defender capable of protecting the paint and erasing many of Love’s miscues. Cleveland will also benefit from a day off and will be playing at home, where they’re 13-4 this season and unbeaten in their last ten games.

At the end of the day, Cleveland is a championship-caliber club, while Chicago’s roster was constructed with a view to landing a top draft pick. Ignore the Bulls’ recent success and take the Cavs all the way.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Chicago Bulls

Betting Against the Spread

BEST CAVALIERS SPREAD: -10.5 (-110)

BEST BULLS SPREAD: +10.5 (-110)

CAVALIERS AGAINST THE SPREAD TRENDS 

  • Cleveland is 10-21-1 ATS this season (32.3-percent)
  • Cleveland is 2-14-1 ATS at home this season
  • Cleveland is riding a one-game ATS losing streak

BULLS AGAINST THE SPREAD TRENDS 

  • Chicago is 17-12-1 ATS this season (58.6-percent)
  • Chicago is 8-7 ATS on the road this season
  • Chicago is on an eight-game ATS winning streak

EXPERT AGAINST THE SPREAD ADVICE: Bulls +10.5 (-110)

The Cavs have the worst ATS record in the NBA, and its isn’t hard to see why. The defending Eastern Conference champs routinely get saddled with double-digit spreads like the precarious -10.5 available.  As good as Cleveland has been (and they’ve been very good indeed), that’s a lot of points to cover against a young, motivated team with little to lose. Mirotic and the Bulls should keep this one within single digits by pushing the tempo and heaving up spread-busting shots from all over the court.

2017-18 ATS record: 12-7

Game Total Betting

BEST OVER ODDS: 215 (-110)

BEST UNDER ODDS: 215 (-110)

CAVALIERS TOTALS TRENDS

  • Cleveland is 15-16-1 O/U this season
  • Cleveland is 8-8-1 O/U at home this season

 

BULLS TOTALS TRENDS

  • Chicago is 13-16-1 O/U this season
  • Chicago is 8-7 O/U on the road this season

 

EXPERT TOTALS ADVICE: Over 215 (-110)

The Cavs and Bulls have averaged 217.5 points in their two games against one another, and they should come close to that total again tonight, particularly considering their recent scoring sprees. Cleveland has scored 119 or more points in three of its last five games, while Chicago has scored 112 or more points in three straight. Both teams also play below-average defense. The Cavs rank 28th in defensive rating at 108.3, while the Bulls are 21st at 107. Add it all up and there should be baskets a-plenty tonight at Quicken Loans Arena.

Additional SU Picks

Cavaliers vs Bulls is just one of five games on tap on Thursday night. Here are our other four straight up picks.

2017-18 SU record: 96-40

Straight Up NBA Picks

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