The NBA has five games on the main part of Saturday night’s main slate, and in one nonconference matchup, the Nuggets roll into the Windy City to take on the new-look Chicago Bulls at the United Center. Let’s take a look at the odds on DraftKings Sportsbook and examine my favorite pick for this Saturday’s matchup.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, the Nuggets are 7.5-point road favorites in the matchup, with the point total at 233.5. Check out my preview and prediction for today’s Nuggets at Bulls contest.
Nuggets at Bulls prediction, preview
The two teams met back on Nov. 17 for the first time this season, and the Bulls pulled out a 130-127 win in the Mile High City. Josh Giddey, Ayo Dosunmu and Kevin Huerter led the way for the Bulls in that game, while Nikola Jokic had a triple-double and Aaron Gordon put up 24 points and 10 rebounds in the loss. Nikola Vucevic hit a key three-pointer with 33 seconds left, and Jokic’s answer was just off the mark. It was the Nuggets’ first home loss of the season and they’ll be looking to avenge that defeat in Saturday’s rematch.
Jokic’s availability will be one key factor to follow leading up to tip-off. The Joker had another triple-double on Wednesday night against the Knicks, racking up 30 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists while playing 45 minutes in his team’s double-overtime defeat. He’s questionable for this game due to a sprained left ankle, and if he can play, this line could easily go higher.
Jokic is joined by Cameron Johnson (knee) as questionable after Johnson missed the last five weeks with a right knee bone bruise. Christian Braun (ankle) is probable after returning just a few games ago. He logged 43 minutes in the double-overtime game, though, so he should be good to go. Aaron Gordon, Peyton Watson and Spencer Jones are out for the Nuggets.
The Bulls have a lengthy injury report as well, with Josh Giddey (hamstring) missing a sixth straight game, the biggest name among the group. Tre Jones (hamstring) is also out, while Jalen Smith (calf) is questionable. Not on the injury report, the Bulls look like they’ll have all their recent trade acquisitions ready to roll. Anfernee Simons, Guerschon Yabusele and Jaden Ivey already made their debuts on Thursday against the Raptors, and Collin Sexton, Nick Richards, Rob Dillingham and Leonard Miller should be ready for their potential debuts in this matchup. The new-look Bulls lost by 16 on the road in Toronto on Thursday, understandably still working things out on the defensive end.
The Bulls broke up the remnants of their core at the trade deadline and did almost a full roster reset. Whether they won or lost the trades long-term remains to be seen, but at least short-term, they seem to be overmatched. If Giddey was available, they’d be easier to back, but without him, they seem shorthanded both in the backcourt and the frontcourt, with or without Jalen Smith.
The Nuggets come into this matchup badly in need of a bounce-back performance. They’ve dropped three straight games, losing to the Thunder at home and then the Pistons and Knicks on the road in very close contests. Jokic’s return has definitely boosted the offense, but it hasn’t resulted in any wins yet for Denver.
The Nuggets are still a solid 33-19 and sitting third in the Western Conference, but this should be an important get-right spot for them against the Bulls. They’ve been a good road team most of the year, going 19-9 on the road, compared to just 14-10 at home.
Nuggets at Bulls pick, best bet
Even if Jokic is out or plays at less than full strength, Jamal Murray and the rest of the Nuggets cast should be able to get this team back in the win column against the fading Bulls. I do like some of the pieces Chicago has added, but it’ll need some time to gel into a new unit, especially on defense. If the spread was wider, I’d lean even more against the defense and take the Nuggets’ team total at over 119.5 (-115).
Since it’s only a 6.5-point spread, though, I’m backing the Nuggets to win and cover. The line will likely move if Jokic plays as well, in which case I’d probably hit Denver’s point total. If Jokic is in or out, Jamal Murray’s props are another great spot to attack since he’ll be carrying most of the offensive workload in a very favorable matchup.
Best bet: Denver Nuggets -6.5 (-115)
