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Bulls vs Warriors Odds, Spread & Predictions

Chris Amberley

by Chris Amberley in NBA Basketball

Updated Jan 13, 2022 · 7:27 PM PST

DeMar DeRozan posts up Kyrie Irving
Jan 12, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan (11) is defended by Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
  • Chicago is a 3-point favorite over Golden State on Friday (Jan. 14th) at 7:30 pm ET at the United Center in Chicago, IL
  • The Bulls are 11-5 as a home favorite this season against the spread
  • Read below for odds, analysis and a betting prediction

Raise your hand if you had the Chicago Bulls leading the NBA’s Eastern Conference after 39 games this season. Chicago has been one of the better stories of the NBA campaign so far, and it’s been largely due to the play of DeMar DeRozan.

The 32-year-old is on pace for one of the best statistical seasons of his career, and he’ll look to lead the Bulls to yet another home victory on Friday (January 14th) over Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors.

Warriors vs Bulls Odds

Team Moneyline Spread Total
Golden State Warriors +135 +3 (-110) OFF
Chicago Bulls -155 -3 (-110) OFF

Odds as of Jan 13th at FanDuel.

Chicago opened up as a 3-point favorite, as they look to improve to 19-8 at home this season. Tip-off is scheduled for just after 7:30 pm ET at the United Center, with ESPN providing the broadcast coverage.

Chicago Bulls Betting Analysis

The Bulls enter play with a slim lead over the Brooklyn Nets atop the East, while DeRozan is currently seventh in the league in scoring, and 12th in PER. He’s averaging 26 points per game for only the second time in his career, but he’s not the only Chicago starter putting up big numbers.

Zach LaVine ranks 11th in scoring, averaging 25.6 points per night, making him and DeRozan one of the most potent one-two offensive punches in the league. Not to be outdone, big man Nikola Vucevic is averaging 16 points and 11 rebounds. No wonder the Bulls rank third in offensive rating.

Even more is going to be asked of the trio moving forward, as Chicago has been hit hard by injuries. Starting small forward Javonte Green is out with a groin injury, while the Bulls just lost his replacement Derrick Jones Jr. to a knee injury. Utility man Alex Caruso has also missed the past 10 games and is out again on Friday, as he’s stuck in the health and safety protocols.

Jones Jr. suffered the injury in Chicago’s 138-112 loss to Brooklyn on Wednesday. It was the worst loss of the season for the Bulls, and the first time they’ve yielded more than 122 points.

Chicago had beaten the Nets in their first two meetings, and check in at number three overall in the NBA in Net Rating. One of the few teams ahead of them is Golden State, although you’d never know it by the Warriors’ recent performances.

Golden State Warriors Betting Analysis

Curry and Co. were blasted 118-99 on the road in Milwaukee on Thursday, a result that looks far better than it actually was. The Warriors trailed 77-38 at the half, and Curry, Klay Thompson, and Andrew Wiggins didn’t play a second in the final quarter.

Curry put up one of his lowest outputs of the season, scoring just 12 points on 11 shot attempts. Thompson was equally as inefficient from the field, going 3-of-11 in his third game back from a lengthy injury. The Warriors are 1-2 since the splash bros. were reunited, and were once again without Draymond Green due to a calf issue.

Golden State has dropped four of five overall, and are 2-4 over the past couple weeks with Green out of the lineup. Green is expected to sit yet again on Friday, which is a big boost to Chicago’s rebounding prospects.

Warriors vs Bulls Pick

Green’s presence to the Warriors has been critical this season, as they’ve won just twice in seven games without him.

Curry meanwhile, is on pace for one of his worst statistical seasons ever. Despite ranking sixth in the league in scoring, he’s shooting just 42% from the field, and 38.4% from three. Extrapolated over a full season, those would be career lows in both departments.

The Bulls on the other hand have been dominate at home. They’re 9-1 at the United Center over their past 10 outings, and have covered the spread in 11 of 16 games as a home favorite.

Given the absence of Green, along with Curry’s struggles, and Chicago’s three-headed monster and home prowess, I lean with the Bulls in this spot. It also doesn’t hurt that Golden State is playing on the second night of a back-to-back.

Pick: Chicago Bulls -3 (-110)

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