The Chicago Bulls will take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday, with tipoff scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET at Target Center.
This is the first of two regular-season meetings between these cross-conference opponents. Minnesota enters riding a five-game winning streak, while Chicago is looking to build on an overtime victory that snapped an eight-game skid.
Looking at the odds, the Timberwolves enter as 15.5-point favorites at DraftKings Sportsbook. The Bulls hold +690 odds to pull off the outright win, with the game total set at 235.5 points.
Bulls vs. Timberwolves Preview
The Chicago Bulls enter with a 2-9 record after picking up a 125-117 overtime victory over the Atlanta Hawks. That result snapped an eight-game losing streak and gave Chicago some much-needed momentum heading into the second night of a back-to-back. The Bulls have gone 6-5 against the spread this season, and the game total has remained under in six of their 11 games played.
Defense has been the driving force behind Chicago’s struggles. The Bulls are allowing a league-worst 127.7 points per game and rank last in defensive rating. Friday’s victory marked the first time this season they held an opponent below 124 points. Chicago has been more competitive offensively, averaging 114.4 points per game. The Bulls also play at the league’s fastest pace, creating plenty of possessions but putting additional pressure on a defense that has struggled to keep up.
Injuries have been a factor in the recent struggles by the Bulls. Fourth overall pick Caleb Wilson suffered a fractured right hand, which will keep him sidelined for four to six weeks. Tobe Awaka, Jaylin Sellers, and Dailyn Swain are each also sidelined tonight. Jalen Smith, Nic Claxton, and Norman Powell are all considered questionable for Saturday’s matchup.
Powell leads the scoring production with 20.8 points per game. Matas Buzelis adds 13.3 points and 4.5 rebounds, while Josh Giddey contributes 10.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 8.8 assists. Smith averages 13.0 points and 7.8 rebounds, while Tre Jones adds 10.0 points per game. Patrick Williams, Isaac Okoro, Buddy Hield, and Leonard Miller provide additional options in the rotation.
The Minnesota Timberwolves enter at 9-3 and are looking to extend their five-game winning streak. They have also been outstanding against the spread, covering in 11 of their first 12 games, and the game total is 6-6 to the over/under.
Minnesota has found success on both ends of the floor. The Timberwolves average 119.3 points per game and rank seventh in offensive rating. Defensively, they lead the league in efficiency while allowing just 105.9 points per contest, which ranks third in the league.
Much of that success has come without Anthony Edwards, who remains sidelined following right knee surgery. Donte DiVincenzo is also unavailable as he continues recovering from an Achilles injury.
Offseason acquisition LaMelo Ball has helped carry the offense, averaging 18.6 points and 6.3 assists through his first 12 games. Ayo Dosunmu adds 18.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists, while Jaden McDaniels contributes 16.9 points per game. Terrence Shannon Jr. and Jonathan Kuminga also average double figures. Rudy Gobert, Joan Beringer, and Bones Hyland provide additional production for a team that has continued finding ways to win despite Edwards’ absence.
Bulls vs. Timberwolves Pick, Best Bet
My lean is toward the Timberwolves winning comfortably and covering the significant 15.5-point spread. Minnesota has been effective on both ends, while Chicago’s inability to get stops remains a major concern.
However, I am backing the game total to go over 235.5 points as my best bet in this matchup. It is tough to overstate the struggles of this Bulls team to start the year. They rank dead last in opponents’ points allowed and defensive rating, 25th in opponents’ field goal percentage, and 26th in opponents’ three-point percentage. Chicago has allowed at least 124 points in 10 of its 11 games. Its commitment to playing at a fast pace creates more opportunities for opponents to exploit an already struggling defense. The Bulls are also traveling after an overtime game Friday, which could make it even more difficult to maintain their defensive effort.
Minnesota’s guard-oriented rotation is perfectly equipped to take advantage of this type of defense. The Timberwolves have a variety of high-level athletes and functional ball-handlers who will have no trouble getting to whatever spots they desire on the floor. They are coming off a 133-point performance against the Mavericks in the previous game, and will look to carry this momentum against the friendliest defensive matchup they have seen all season.
While the Timberwolves should be expected to lead the scoring charge, the Bulls are capable of putting the ball in the basket themselves. They have scored 119 or more points in three straight games and in six of their 11 games played this year.
The score has gone over the game total in three of the last four Bulls games, and in six of the last nine Timberwolves games as well. Buckle up for plenty of scoring, and for the 235.5 game total line to be too lofty for the context of this matchup.
Best Bet: Game Total Over 235.5 (-105)
In addition, I am backing LaMelo Ball to record to record Over 21.5 Points on DraftKings Sportsbook as one of my top prop bets on DraftKings Network which you can read here.
