Trying to stay in contention for one of the final playoff spots in the NBA’s Eastern Conference, the Chicago Bulls travel to Indianapolis to take on the Pacers Wednesday night.
And they should be looking forward to hitting the court after suffering a 35-point home loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Monday.
The Pacers, currently the No. 6 seed in the East at 37-24, return home with no rest after surprising the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday.
Bulls vs. Pacers odds
- Spread: Bulls +4 (-115), Pacers -4 (-105)
- Total: Over 229.5 (-110), Under 229.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Bulls +145, Pacers -170
Odds via bet365
Bulls vs. Pacers prediction
The Pacers’ 121-111 victory over the Thunder was their second straight, and they did it as 5.5-point road underdogs. Myles Turner paced Indiana with 24 points and four blocks.
The Pacers have been wildly inconsistent since losing to the Lakers in the In-Season Tournament’s championship game.
Some of that had to do with an injury to All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who missed 10 games in January. But not all of it. Playing a semi-soft schedule since Jan. 30, the Pacers are just one game over .500 and still seeking an identity.
Meanwhile, the Bulls (31-34) have lost two in a row and – as the ninth seed in the East – are in jeopardy of missing the postseason.
On Monday, they trailed the Mavericks, 44-16, after the first quarter and could never recover in a 127-92 setback.
Their recent home woes continue, as they have dropped four of their last five games at the United Center.
However, Billy Donovan’s team has fared better on the road of late by winning eight of its past 11 games away from the Windy City.
In this span, the Bulls have defeated the Warriors, Kings and Pelicans as an underdog, while posting a 5-2 mark against the spread in their last seven opportunities as a road ‘dog.
Bulls vs. Pacers pick
These Central Division rivals have split two meetings this season with the road team capturing each matchup.
Chicago won at Indiana, 112-105, as 3.5-point underdogs in late October, while the Pacers grabbed the second matchup, 120-104, in late December.
Look for a better performance from the Bulls and take the points with them against the Pacers Wednesday night.
- Pick: Bulls +4 (-115 at bet365)
