Chicago Bulls (21-24) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (13-31)
As the NBA season heats up, the upcoming showdown between the Chicago Bulls and the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday is grabbing attention among basketball enthusiasts and those seeking basketball picks today. The Bulls, with a somewhat middling record of 21-24, will face off against the struggling Trail Blazers who stand at 13-31. This game promises an intriguing match-up in the Western Conference landscape.
The Chicago Bulls have displayed both resilience and inconsistency this season. Averaging 110.6 points per game while shooting 46.1% from field goal distance indicates their offensive prowess, particularly from beyond the arc where they’ve averaged 11.8 three-pointers per game. But their road game record against the spread stands at 9-11 and indicates potential challenges on away games; defensively they average 7.8 steals/4.9 blocks/per game but their tendency for 19.3 fouls per game could pose problems.
On the other hand, Portland Trail Blazers have shown some flashes of competitiveness despite their disappointing record. Scoring an average of 108.3 points per game on 43.6% shooting accuracy puts them not too far behind the Bulls in terms of offensive output; their strength lies in three-point shooting at an average 12.3 makes per game and their slightly higher turnover rate (14.2 per game and defensive rebound rate (29.5) may prove detrimental for them in comparison.
Chicago Bulls vs. Portland Trail Blazers Game Info
| When: | Sunday, January 28, 2024 at 9:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Moda Center at the Rose Quarter |
| TV: | ROOT Sports NW |
| Stream: | NBA League Pass |
DeMar DeRozan (SF) vs. Anfernee Simons (SG)
DeMar DeRozan continues his All-Star caliber season for the Bulls, playing major minutes while leading the team in scoring at 21.9 points per game. He makes an impact across the box score by adding 4 rebounds and 5.3 assists as well. Though not an elite three-point shooter, DeRozan converts from inside the arc at a high rate, aided by his ability to draw fouls with physical drives to the rim. His 1.4 turnovers per game and 3.7 assist-to-turnover ratio also showcase his strong court vision and playmaking skills. DeRozan should be able to utilize his size and strength advantages against many opposing shooting guards.
Anfernee Simons has taken over the starting shooting guard role for Portland, seeing increased playing time during his fifth NBA season. He’s exploded onto the scene by leading the Blazers with 23 points per contest on highly efficient 46/37/84 shooting splits. Simons provides spacing and shooting gravity by converting 2.5 three-pointers per game while also showing impressive playmaking chops with 4.8 assists. His smaller stature can cause issues on defense, and he turns the ball over 2.5 times per game. But his quickness and shooting makes him a tough cover, especially coming off screens.
This matchup pits All-Star, isolation scorer DeRozan against emerging sniper Simons. DeRozan should look to attack inside and draw contact. Meanwhile, Simons will need to run off screens and connect from deep if Portland wants to keep pace. Their contrasting offensive styles could bring fireworks to this shooting guard-small forward showdown.
NBA Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
As the betting odds for the game are yet to be determined, it’s essential to keep an eye on how bookmakers assess the teams’ recent performances and overall season trends. The odds will offer insights into the expected competitiveness of the game and potential betting opportunities.
Chicago Bulls Betting Trends
Chicago is 19-25 against the spread (ATS) this season and 10-14 straight up on the road. More recently, the Bulls are 3-2 ATS over their past five contests. The totals have gone over in two of the last five Bulls’ games. With a middling defense and efficient scorers like DeRozan and Zach LaVine, Chicago’s games often turn into shootouts.
Portland Trail Blazers Betting Trends
The Trail Blazers possess a 16-28 ATS record this season, but have covered four of their past five matchups. Portland is also 12-13 ATS at home in 2022-2023. The return of Lillard now gives this squad two elite shot creators, while decent role players have stepped up around the star guards. The Blazers’ defense remains a concern, but their offense looks poised to carry them to more covers.
Chicago Bulls vs. Portland Trail Blazers 1/28/24 Betting Picks
The matchup presents a somewhat evenly matched scenario. The Bulls, with their offensive edge, might have a slight advantage, especially with DeRozan’s leadership. However, the Trail Blazers, led by Simons’ scoring threat, cannot be underestimated, particularly on their home court.
Given the trends and key player matchups, the better pick seems to be leaning towards the Bulls, especially if the spread is reasonable. Prop bets on DeRozan’s scoring and Simons’ three-pointers could be interesting. The over/under will largely depend on the set total, but given both teams’ recent trends, the over might be a viable option. When selecting your bets, consider using the best bookie software for the most updated odds and betting options.
