The first half of the NBA season is starting to wind down a bit, but there is still plenty of more big games that need to be played. On Thursday night, the Chicago Bulls will visit the Memphis Grizzlies for what should be an interesting matchup.
Chicago comes into this game with an overall record of 24-27, but they have rebounded after a very slow start to the year. The Bulls have won three of their last five games, including an impressive win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
It has been a rough season for the Memphis Grizzlies as they are sitting at 18-33 so far this season. The Grizzlies have currently lost six straight games, and injuries have left them with a very depleted roster.
Chicago is coming into this game as a 5.5-point betting favorite over the Grizzlies down in Memphis.
Bulls Playing Team Basketball
The Chicago Bulls will be without Zach LaVine for the remainder of the season, but the team has actually played better without him. DeMar DeRozan is now leading the way with 22.3 points per game, but it has been Coby White that has stepped up the most of late.
White is scoring over 19 points per game this season, and he has turned into one of the best playmakers in the league at the guard position. Chicago has been sharing the ball well over the last few weeks, and that makes them tough to guard.
Depth is a concern at times for the Bulls as they have been forced to play a ton of young talent. That hasn’t slowed down the Bulls on offense, but getting stops on defense has been a major concern.
Memphis Has No Roster
Things started to unravel for Memphis when Ja Morant was lost for the season, but the hits have just kept on coming from that point on. Memphis is dealing with issues to a number of key players, and that has impacted them during this losing streak.
Desmond Bane is leading the way with over 24 points per game this season, and Marcus Smart has given this team another weapon. Memphis is starting to get some pieces back, but at some point they are going to have to find a way to put the ball in the basket.
Slowing this game down and winning with defense is the best option for Memphis, but that still might not be enough.
Bulls Take Control
The Memphis Grizzlies just aren’t in a position to put a competitive NBA team on the floor, and they are facing a red-hot team in this game. Memphis is now looking towards the future, and it is hard to see them even keeping this game close.
Chicago still has some issues that will need to be sorted out, but this is a team that is starting to click on all cylinders. The Bulls are coming into this game with some momentum on offense, and they shouldn’t have trouble scoring points.
Bet the Chicago Bulls -5.5 as they find a way to get past the Memphis Grizzlies to pick up another big win.
