The New Orleans Pelicans will enter Chicago tonight with a chance to build some momentum at the end of a road-heavy schedule.
The Pels are finishing a stretch that had them playing 8-of-11 games on the road, but after tonight they will head home for a six-game home stand and a chance to get rolling.
Winning tonight would get that started, but the Pelicans will need more effort on the defensive end. Coach Willie Green has not been happy with his team’s effort, so I think we’ll see renewed energy tonight and possibly some changes to the bench rotation.
A win tonight would get the good vibes back as the Pels head home with a chance to pile up some wins. The Bulls are coming off a win vs. Toronto and will be no easy task for New Orleans on the road.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Chicago Bulls: Odds and Spread, Over/Under
New Orleans is favored by two points according to Fanduel, which is kind of surprising given that they have lost two in a row and are on the road.
The money lines are set at +110 for Chicago and -130 for New Orleans and the over/under is 232.5 combined points.
That point total seems high, as the Bulls have the 5th ranked defense in the NBA and the Pels will be looking to crank up the defensive intensity tonight, so I like the under.
Pelicans injury report
Garrett Temple is out for personal reasons and Kira Lewis Jr. is also ruled out for tonight’s game. Larry Nance Jr. has been listed as questionable and is currently receiving treatment for what appears to be a minor knee injury, but that is one to watch, as he has been crucial for the bench.
The Bulls will be without Lonzo Ball and Coby White and Andre Drummond is listed as questionable.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Chicago Bulls: Prediction
The Pels have to defend better than they have in the last two games, as Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan can pile up points in a hurry, so Herb Jones et al. are going to have their hands full.
But so are the Bulls, who don’t have much of an answer for Zion Williamson or Brandon Ingram, so I like the Pelicans to win the battle of the forwards. It may come down to the centers and the bench, so New Orleans will look for Valanciunas to establish himself and for Trey Murphy III to have a big night shooting.
I like both of things to happen, and for the Pelicans to get a momentum-building win before they head home.
New Orleans 117, Chicago 110
*Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.