Bulls vs Pistons Picks, Predictions, Player Props & Injury Reports (Jan 7)

• Cade Cunningham’s scorching-hot play is set to continue against a vulnerable Bulls defense tonight
• Chicago’s offense is severely hampered by injuries to key players like Josh Giddey
• See my Bulls vs Pistons picks, predictions, and player props to bet on Jan. 7

Central Division rivals clash on Wednesday night when the East-leading Detroit Pistons (27-9, 13-3 home, 20-16 ATS, 17-19 O/U) host the shorthanded Chicago Bulls (17-19, 7-10 away, 17-19 ATS, 16-20 O/U) Little Caesars Arena. The action tips off at 7:00 pm ET with broadcasts available on FDSDET and CHSN.

The Pistons would be sizable favorites against the full-strength Bulls, but with Josh Giddey (19.2 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 9.0 APG) out and two other starters questionable (Coby White, Matas Buzelis), the line has ballooned as high as Detroit -11.5. This article will dive into the key statistical matchups, recent betting trends, and injury situations to find the best Bulls/Pistons picks and props to bet.

Pistons vs Bulls Prediction: Expert Picks & Predictions

• ATS Pick: Pistons -10.0 (-110 at BetRivers)
• Game-Total Pick: Under 231.5 (-110 at Fanatics)
• Best Player Prop to Bet: Cade Cunningham Over 26.5 Points (-120 at BetMGM)

Giddey has missed the last four games. The Bulls responded well to the adversity initially – beating the Pelicans (134-118 home) and Magic (121-114 home) – but have dropped their last two in ugly fashion to the Hornets (112-99 home) and Celtics (115-101 away). Chicago is now 2-4 SU without Giddey this year, and the average margin of defeat in those four losses was 10.5 PPG. They already lost at Detroit by 11 without Giddey back on Nov. 12.

The point spread is as high as DET -11.5 at DraftKings but bettors can still get it at DET -10.0 at BetRivers.

The Pistons have dominated this head-to-head matchup of late, going 4-1 ATS in their last five meetings with the Bulls. Coming off a 31-point demolition of the Knicks on Monday, the Pistons have also been excellent at maintaining momentum, posting a 15-5SU record in their last 20 games after a win.

For the total, I’m targeting the under. While the Pistons’ offense exploded for 121 points in their last contest, their defense was the real story, holding the Knicks to just 90. The Bulls’ offense, meanwhile, averaged just 100 points in their back-to-back losses to Charlotte and Boston. The betting line has already moved down from its opening of 233.5, and I expect it to be even lower by tip-off. This game should feature a focused defensive effort from Detroit to control the tempo.

The best player prop focuses on Detroit’s superstar, Cade Cunningham (26.7 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 9.6 APG). Fresh off a 29-point performance against New York, his over/under points line is set at 27.5 at most books, but a point lower at BetMGM.

He is the undisputed engine of this Pistons team, and against a Bulls squad that is reeling, he should have no trouble taking control and leading the scoring charge once again. Look for Cunningham to stay aggressive and continue his hot streak.

Bulls vs Pistons Player Props & Betting Lines

The individual player markets showcase the stark contrast between Detroit’s superstar-driven approach and Chicago’s balanced attack. Cunningham’s props reflect elite-level expectations, while the Bulls feature multiple contributors with appealing lines for contrarian bettors.

Player props as of Jan. 7 at bet365.

Chicago Bulls vs Detroit Pistons Odds

The best Detroit moneyline is currently -461 at FanDuel, while the best Chicago moneyline is a long +375 at bet365. The Bulls/Pistons point spread ranges from DET -10.0 (BetRivers) to -11.5 (DraftKings).

The total has dropped from 233.5 to 231.5 across the board in Wednesday’s NBA odds.

Odds commentary as of 10:52 am ET.

Public Betting Splits for Bulls/Pistons

The NBA public betting splits are firmly in Detroit’s corner for this Central Division clash, but a closer look at the flow of money reveals some intriguing patterns, especially regarding the game total. While the public expects a Pistons victory, late-breaking trends suggest professional bettors are eyeing a lower-scoring contest than the initial line suggests.

Moneyline & Spread Consensus: The public’s confidence in Detroit is undeniable. An overwhelming 89.3% of moneyline tickets are on the Pistons to win outright, a sentiment backed by 81.9% of the total money wagered. The spread market tells a similar, though slightly more divided, story. While 56.1% of spread bets are on Detroit, they are attracting a much more significant 64.6% of the handle (stake). This disparity suggests that larger, more confident wagers are backing the Pistons to cover the -11.5, aligning perfectly with our best bet.

A Divergence on the Total: This is where the public and sharper money appear to diverge. Initially, the public flocked to the Over, which still holds 62.2% of all bets placed on the total. However, the money tells a different story. A significant market shift shows the handle on the Under has surged by 19.4%, with its bet percentage climbing by 14.8% as the game approaches. This late movement against the initial public consensus often indicates the arrival of “sharp” money, which sees value in a more defensive game. This trend strongly supports our pick for the Under 231.5, suggesting professional bettors agree that the defenses will dictate the pace.

CHI vs DET Injury Report

The injury report heavily favors Detroit, even with their own significant losses. The Bulls will be without primary playmaker Josh Giddey and frontcourt pieces Jalen Smith and Zach Collins. The potential absence of scorer Coby White (Questionable) would be another devastating blow to an offense that needs all the firepower it can get. Chicago’s inability to field a healthy frontcourt is a disastrous mismatch against a Pistons team that ranks 2nd in Total Rebound Percentage (53.0%) and 2nd in points in the paint (57.7 PPG).

For the Pistons, the absence of Jalen Duren (Ankle) and Tobias Harris (Hip) is significant. Duren’s presence on the boards is a core part of their identity. However, with Cade Cunningham (Wrist) cleared to play, the offensive game plan becomes simple: let the star run the show. The injuries to his supporting cast only increase his usage, making his over 27.5 Points prop even more compelling as he will be forced to shoulder the majority of the offensive creation and scoring load.

Pistons vs Bulls: H2H Statistical Breakdown

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