Brooklyn is treading water even after gutting their lineup, holding on to 5th place in the Eastern Conference with a 34-24 record heading into Friday’s Nets at Bulls betting matchup. Chicago (26-33) is fighting for their postseason lives over their last 23 games of the season, currently sitting at 2.5 games out of the final play-in tournament slot.
The Bulls went into the break on a six game losing streak, but are -2 point favorites in their first game back from All-Star weekend. The Nets are just 3-5 in February even while playing six of their eight games this month at home so this game could really go either way just because both squads are struggling.
Why Brooklyn Can Cover +2 Points
The Nets just beat the Bulls 116-105 on February 9th and that was this new look Brooklyn team that parted ways with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. That was Spencer Dinwiddie’s first game back with the Nets after being acquired from Dallas and he had 25 points, also having 28 vs. the Knicks on February 13th so really finding his role with this team.
Cam Thomas is coming into his own with an increased role in this Nets offense, scoring 20 vs. the Bulls on February 9th but going for 43+ in the three games prior. Mikal Bridges came over from Phoenix in the Durant trade and had 45 points in his last game before the all-star break, so Brooklyn has a lot of upside.
The biggest reason to back Brooklyn in the Nets at Bulls betting matchup might just be because Chicago was playing so bad leading up to the break. The Bulls have scored 100 or less in four of six games during their current losing streak.
Why Bulls Can Cover -2 Points
Chicago has talent but they also seem to be a very passive team. The Bulls have big wins against the Celtics, Bucks, Mavericks, and Warriors this season but have also struggled against the league’s lesser teams which is why they are just 26-33 on the season.
The Bulls hope that the signing of Patrick Beverley helps give this team an edge, and the Chicago native is expected to make his team debut on Friday night. One of Beverley’s first messages to Bulls star Zach LaVine was that “We don’t need you to pass. We need you to put the ball in the hole at an elite level.”
LaVine had 38 points vs. the Nets the last meeting so he matches up well against the Brooklyn defense. DeMar DeRozan has only gone for 20+ points once in his last six games but Nikola Vucevic is coming off a 22 point, 16 rebound performance in his last game before the break so he hopes that is a building block.
Free Nets at Bulls Betting Pick
This game could go either way simply because both teams had their issues prior to the break. Chicago may get an attitude adjustment with the addition of Beverley but ultimately this is a highly underachieving team that cannot be trusted right now.
Free Pick: Nets +2
