The 2023-24 NBA season is really starting to heat up as the games now mean more as we get closer and closer to the postseason. On Monday night, the Portland Trail Blazers will visit the Chicago Bulls in a big game for the home team.
Portland comes into this game with a record of 19-48, and they have really struggled to play with any consistency all season long. The Trail Blazers have lost three of their last four games, and they are limping into the end of the year.
Chicago is coming into this game with some momentum after winning two of their last three games. The Bulls are now sitting at 33-35 on the year, and they are in a great position to at least make the play-in tournament.
The Chicago Bulls are 6.5-point betting favorites over the Portland Trail Blazers in this NBA matchup on Monday night.
Blazers Have to Get Stops
The Portland Trail Blazers have not been a good defensive team this season, and that has to change if they want to start winning games. Portland has allowed at least 118 points in three of their lost five games, and that kind of effort won’t get the job done.
There are some good offensive pieces on this team, but they are averaging just 107.7 points per game this season. Portland has had some big offensive games, but there are also times in which this team struggled.
Portland will be looking for a big offensive performance in this game, and they are going to need their biggest stars to show up.
Bulls Can Be Explosive
Ayo Dosunmu poured in a career-high 34 points in the win on Saturday, and that just speaks to how explosive this team can be. The Bulls are still led by DeMar DeRozan at 23.2 points per game, but there are other weapons on this roster.
Chicago has turned into a team that wants to get out and run in transition, and that is going to be their goal on Monday night. The Bulls are hoping to get Coby White back in the lineup, and that will give them a big boost as well.
This Chicago team has proven to be a good defensive team over the last few weeks, and that should allow them to hold the Trail Blazers to a low number.
Bulls Beat Up on Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers are a team without a ton of offense, and they have also struggled to win games this season. Portland has been able to play much better at home this season, but life on the road has been a major challenge.
Chicago is a tough team to figure out, but they have been playing extremely well in the second half of the season. Even though the Bulls are dealing with some injuries at this point of the year, this team still has some talent.
Bet on the Chicago Bulls at -6.5 as they are going to roll over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night.
