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The Chicago Bulls head down to Texas to take on the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center. The Spurs enter Saturday's affair as a 3-point favorite, despite their recent four-game losing streak. The Spurs have played well all year and look to continue their success in the Lone Star State. The visiting Bulls are hungry to prove that their commitment to present success is legitimate. Chicago made a big splash at the deadline when it acquired Nikola Vucevic from the Orlando Magic. With the Spurs recently moving on from LaMarcus Aldridge, is it possible that these two teams are now moving in opposite directions? It’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Bulls-Spurs prediction and pick.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Bulls-Spurs odds.
NBA Odds: Bulls-Spurs Odds
Chicago Bulls +3.5 (-110)
San Antonio Spurs -3.5 (-110)
Over 223 Points (-110)
Under 223 Points(-110)
Why The Bulls Could Cover The Spread
The Chicago Bulls have flown under the radar as a much-improved team in 2021. All-Star Zac LaVine has taken a monster leap and now has a legitimate second option in Nikola Vucevic. Vucevic will likely make his Bulls debut Saturday night in San Antonio. He brings a huge boost to this team on the boards as he averages 11.8 rebounds per game, which has been a big struggle for Chicago. He also adds a spark on the offensive end for a team that already possesses a top-10 offense.
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Zac LaVine has really been the story for this Bulls squad all year long, though. LaVine averages 28.1 points and 4.9 assists per game and brings energy in transition that's hard to match. He has been the catalyst for a team that currently sits at 23-19 ATS. The Bulls are 5-3 ATS as underdogs of at least three points and have been especially good on the road. Chicago is 6-1 ATS in its last seven games and 14-4 ATS overall away from home. These are impressive numbers to note, especially since they are all without the new man in the middle.
Why The Spurs Could Cover The Spread
The Spurs certainly lack talent and depth, but will never become irrelevant under head coach Greg Popovich. He always has his team playing efficient basketball on both ends of the floor. San Antonio has been solid in 2021, going 23-19 ATS to date. The Spurs always see an added boost on their home court as well. This is the second matchup of the season between these two teams. San Antonio won the first meeting 106-99 as the underdog.
Without LaMarcus Aldridge, DeMar DeRozan will continue to be the catalyst for the Spurs. DeRozan leads the way for San Antonio, averaging 20.6 points and 7.1 assists per game. He is surrounded by a great outside shooting group and a top-10 scoring defense in the league. The Spurs have matched up well with Chicago recently, going 5-2 SU in their last seven games against the Bulls. They are 12-3 ATS in their last 15 games against Eastern Conference opponents as well. San Antonio will look to shoot the lights out against a Bulls team that is in the bottom half of the NBA in defensive efficiency.
Final Bulls-Spurs Prediction & Pick
In a game that could really go either way, I'm leaning toward the under. San Antonio will be missing some offense without Aldridge and doesn't particularly push the pace on that end of the floor. The Spurs are slow and methodical in the half-court and typically try to create offense through their defense. The Bulls have been great on the offensive end and will hope to see an added boost on the defensive end in the debut of big man Nikola Vucevic. The under is 4-1 in the Spurs' last five home games and Chicago has seen the under hit in seven of its last eight as well.
FINAL PICK: Under 223 (-110)
