Chicago Bulls vs. Brooklyn Nets Preview and Prediction (2/9/23)
Line: Nets -1, Bulls +1
Total: 227.5
Chicago Bulls vs. Brooklyn Nets Betting Odds Breakdown
The Chicago Bulls will be making their way to Brooklyn to take on the Nets.
Brooklyn is coming into this game as the favorite at -1, and the over/under is sitting at 227.5 points.
Chicago Bulls Preview
After having a very solid season last year at 46-36, the Bulls are coming into this game at only 26-28.
Chicago has had a weird season so far, especially with Lonzo Ball and his knee, whose health has not improved much since his knee surgery back in January of 2022 from a torn meniscus. His absence could be an explanation for Chicago’s struggles. If Lonzo Ball was in their lineup at all this season, it’s possible that the Bulls could be an elite team this season. Lonzo would help their assists numbers, which aren’t too great right now with the Bulls only averaging 24.5 assists per game. On top of that, he’s a solid defender and he has a solid jumpshot. But for the foreseeable future, they will have to go on without him.
This doesn’t look like a good matchup for Chicago, even with Kevin Durant out. And for a team that already has trouble passing the ball and getting assists, it won’t get much easier against the Brooklyn Nets, who average fourth in the whole league for opponents assists at only 23.2 assists per game. If Chicago wants to try to get the win here, someone like DeMar DeRozan may have to lead them there. Their offense as a whole hasn’t been too great this season either, with them coming into this game at 15th in the league for offensive efficiency. This game isn’t impossible for Chicago to win, but it surely will not be easy at all.
Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn is coming into this game after losing to the Phoenix Suns, and they will try to bounce back against the Bulls.
Just last night, the Brookly Nets made a major move with them sending Kevin Durant over to the Phoenix Suns for Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, and multiple first round picks. Although Brooklyn has traded their stars, this team is still solid. They may not be as good as they were before, but they are still a well-rounded team that can give a challenge to any team in any game. And with how Cam Thomas has been playing, they can definitely give Chicago a challenge.
After Irving got traded, Cam Thomas slid into the starting spot. And in the games he has played, he has not disappointed the Nets. Against the Wizards last Saturday, Thomas came into the game and put up 44 points in 29 minutes. Then in the very next game, Cam Thomas put up 47 points against the Clippers. And if those two games were not impressive enough, he then put 43 points up on the board against the Suns. He has been incredible ever since he was put in the starting lineup, and he could be relied on in the future for Brooklyn. But, one man cannot win a basketball game by himself, so other players will need to step up. And luckily, other players like Nic Claxton and Edmond Sumner can do that.
Winner Prediction: Brooklyn Nets -1
Although Kevin Durant is out, Brooklyn could very well get a win over the Chicago Bulls in Brooklyn.
Cam Thomas has been incredible for them, and the home crowd should also be able to give them a boost to edge out the Chicago Bulls in this one.
