The Chicago Bulls (2-5) will be 8-point underdogs at home in United Center when they meet the Denver Nuggets (5-1). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 226.5 points and it will air on NBC Sports Chicago at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 31, 2018.
Denver Nuggets vs. Chicago Bulls Betting Odds
Neither team was able to cover in their last contest. The Nuggets (9.5-point favorites) defeated the New Orleans Pelicans, 116-111, while the Bulls (11-point underdogs) fell to the Golden State Warriors, 149-124. The Denver game finished 3 points under the projected point total of 230, while the Chicago game went 45 points over the projected point total of 228.
Denver dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a turnover percentage of 11.2 (better than their season average of 11.5) and a free throw rate of 0.226 (matching their season average). New Orleans had marks of 19.5 and 0.171, respectively, for those same stats. Chicago, on the other hand, had a free throw rate of 0.221 (above their season average of 0.197). Wendell Carter Jr. had a good outing for Chicago, finishing with 18 points and seven rebounds. Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic was a key piece for Denver with 12 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds.
Getting to the line might be hard to find for Chicago in this matchup. Since last season, the Bulls rank 29th in the league with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.167, while Denver ranks fifth in FTA rate allowed (0.176). Also, the fifth-ranked offense of the Nuggets (offensive efficiency of 110.2) will attempt to exploit the 28th-ranked defense of the Bulls (defensive efficiency of 110.3).
Nuggets games have a tendency to go under the O/U total (66.7 percent). Denver comes into the game with records of 5-1 straight up (SU) and 4-2 against the spread (ATS).
Contrary to Denver, games including the Bulls have typically gone over the projected point total (57.1 percent). Additionally, Chicago is 2-5 SU and 3-4 ATS.
The Nuggets dominated this series last year, winning both games. In the last game, Denver won 135-102. Denver’s effective field goal percentage was its largest advantage over Chicago. The Nuggets had a rate of 0.735 while the Bulls posted a mark of 0.511.
Denver Nuggets at Chicago Bulls Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Nuggets, ATS Winner – Nuggets, O/U – Under
Betting Notes (2017-Present):
- The Bulls average 11.7 fast break points per game, which ranks 15th in the NBA. The Nuggets rank 21st in fast break points allowed per game (12.9).
- Denver ranks first in rebounds allowed per game (41.6) while Chicago ranks 28th (45.8).
- The Nuggets average 30.8 three pointers per game, which ranks eighth in the NBA. The Bulls rank last in three pointers allowed per game (33.2).
- Denver ranks fourth in points in the paint per game (49.7) while Chicago ranks 26th (42.1).
- Denver ranks 13th in blocks per game (5.0) while Chicago ranks last (3.6).
- The Nuggets rank second in second chance points per game (14.2) while the Bulls rank 27th (11.1).
- The Nuggets rank eighth in points off turnovers per game (17.0) while the Bulls rank 28th (14.7).
- Chicago ranks 19th in steals per game (7.5) while Denver ranks 20th in steals allowed per game (7.9).
- Denver ranks fourth in assists per game (25.1) while Chicago ranks 29th in assists allowed per game (25.9).
- In games where they hold opponents under 100 points, Denver is 18-2 and Chicago is 9-6.
- The Bulls are 25-31 when they reach 100 points, while the Nuggets are 44-27.
