Two Central Divisional teams will square off on Saturday. The Chicago Bulls will take on the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Bulls come into the game with a 28-29 record, which is 7th in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls are just a single game behind the Pacers, and also a single game ahead of Detroit in the East. The Bulls are 11-18 on the road.
For Cleveland, the defending NBA Champions are without Kevin Love until April. The Cavaliers hold a 3 game lead on the Boston Celtics in the East. Cleveland is 40-16 on the season, and 25-5 in games at home this season. Cleveland is a large favorite in this game. The Cavaliers are -9.5 over the Chicago Bulls on NBA odds.
Chicago at Cleveland Betting Pick, Prediction & TV Info
When: Saturday, February 25, 2017, 8:30pm ET
Where: Quicken Loans Arena
TV: ESPN
Radio: Chicago / Cleveland Stream Option: NBA.tvNBA Odds: Cavs at -9.5
Why Bet on the Cavs?
The Cleveland Cavaliers are running away with the Central Division. The Cavaliers hold an 11 game lead on the Pacers in the division. Last season, the Cavaliers won 57 games before going on to win the NBA title. The Cavaliers are on their way to the third straight season of winning 50+ games in a season.
LeBron James is scoring more than 25 points per game. James is also dishing out nearly 9 assists per game as well. The Cavaliers are averaging 111.3 points per game, and allowing teams to score 106 per game. Cleveland has won 9 out of their last 10 games.
Why Bet on the Bulls?
The Chicago Bulls kept Jimmy Butler at the trade deadline, but did ship off both Doug McDermott and Taj Gibson to Oklahoma City. In return, Cameron Payne came from the Thunder, along with Anthony Morrow. The Bulls are led in scoring by Butler, who is scoring more than 24 points per game. The Bulls are scoring 102.1 points per game, and allowing 102.8.
The Bulls did not make the postseason last season, and if the playoffs started today, they would be the 7th seed in the East. Chicago would start a first round playoff series against the Boston Celtics, who they beat the final game before the All Star Break. The Bulls need to win 14 out of their final 25 games to match their win total from a season ago.
Betting Pick & Score Prediction
The Cleveland Cavaliers are going to win this game, and win it big. The Cavaliers started the second half with a win over the Knicks, and look to be playing pretty solid basketball. The Bulls do not have an answer for LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. Even without Kevin Love, Cleveland should be able to score enough points for an easy win.
The Bulls are going to be interesting down the stretch. The trades of McDermott and Gibson should open the door for Bobby Portis to start. Chicago is going to struggle to guard the Cavaliers in this game. In the final bet for this game, take the Cleveland Cavaliers -9.5 over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday in a Central Divisional tilt.
