Bulls vs Wizards Odds & Predictions (Jan. 11)

• Washington is laying 1 point to Chicago in the Bulls vs Wizards odds on Wednesday night
• Bradley Beal (hamstring) is out, while Kristaps Porzingis (ribs) and DeMar DeRozan (quad) are questionable
• Check out the latest Bulls vs Wizards odds below, plus injury updates and predictions

There’s a good chance Wednesday night’s Bulls (19-22, 8-13 away) vs Wizards (17-24, 10-8 home) matchup is light on star power.

As we’ll explore, three of the biggest names on either side are either out or seriously questionable. Oddsmakers are banking on injuries having more of a negative impact on Chicago though, as they opened the Wizards as the home chalk in the NBA odds.

Bulls vs Wizards Odds

Odds as of January 10 at Barstool. Claim the Barstool Sportsbook promo code to bet on the Bulls vs Wizards game.

Washington is currently a 1-point favorite, in a game without a total as of Tuesday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 pm ET at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC, and is one of eight games on Wednesday’s sked.

Washington Wizards Betting Trends

Let’s start with the home team. Leading scorer Bradley Beal remains out. Beal hasn’t played since last Tuesday due to a low-grade left hamstring strain, and is scheduled to miss at least Washington’s next three games.

To make matters worse, Kristaps Porzingis, the team’s second leading scorer and top rebounder is questionable with sore ribs. Porzingis was in the lineup for Monday night’s 132-112 blowout loss to New Orleans, which marked the Wizards third loss in a row after five straight victories.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, starting center Daniel Gafford (ankle) is questionable, as is Corey Kispert (back soreness) who is Beal’s primary backup.

Kristaps Porzingis is questionable for tomorrow's game due to right rib contusion.

VIA @WashWizards #Wizards #NBA pic.twitter.com/4t2vd47JMF

— TheColdWire.com (@thecoldwire) January 10, 2023

Washington is 7-10 without Beal in the lineup this season, dropping nine of the last 12 games he’s sat. They’ve played one contest without both Beal and Porzingis, and had their doors blown off 141-128 by the Nuggets.

The Wizards were already having a tough time scoring, ranking 21st in net rating, and that will only get harder if Porzingis also misses. Aside from the Beal and Porzingis, Kyle Kuzma is the only other Washington player who averages over 13 points per contest.

The Wizards defense has been abysmal during their current three game slide, yielding over 127 points per game, while ranking dead last in defensive rating.

Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

Chicago’s major injury concern revolves around DeMar DeRozan. The five-time All-Star strained his right quad in Monday’s loss the Celtics, leaving the game in the third quarter in serious pain.

DeRozan is one of three Bulls to have played all 41 games so far this season, and leads the team in scoring and assists. If he can’t go, expect the majority of the offensive burden to be shouldered by Zach LaVine, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing for Chicago backers.

Billy Donovan on DeMar DeRozan’s injury. Donovan mentioned a quad issue. pic.twitter.com/QOxDPdiwPw

— Darnell Mayberry (@DarnellMayberry) January 10, 2023

LaVine is averaging 29 points per outing during his past four games, putting up big numbers against stiff competition. He poured in 41 points, including 11 threes, last Friday in a win versus the 76ers, then followed that up with a 36 point performance the next night in a victory against the Jazz.

He led Chicago with 27 points in Monday’s 107-99 loss to Boston, a game that was much closer than the final score suggests. This was a two point game in the final minute of regulation before the reigning NBA Championship odds favorites pulled away.

Chicago has also beaten Brooklyn during their latest four-game stretch, the only team that can say they’ve accomplished that feat in the Nets last 15 games.

The Bulls are 8-4 in their last 12 games overall, ranking fifth in offensive rating during that timeframe.

Bulls vs Wizards Predictions

The current point spread suggests DeRozan likely won’t play. For context, the last time these two teams faced each other Chicago was favored by 5 points, and that was in a game where the Bulls were healthy and Beal didn’t play.

The Bulls have been a top-eight team against the spread this season, posting a 21-18-2 mark, including an 11-6-1 record as a road ‘dog. Even without DeRozan for nearly half of Monday’s game, they still gave the league’s top team a run for their money.

NBA Offensive Rating Ranks – Last 12 Games

Washington in its current form, with its current injuries, is nowhere near the calibre of team as the Celtics, and shouldn’t be laying points to Chicago in this spot. Take the value with the Bulls now, because if DeRozan does get the green light, this line is going to flip in Chicago’s favor.

Pick: Chicago Bulls +1 (-110)