Pelicans vs Bulls Prediction, picks and odds for tonight’s NBA game

On By Littum

A small sample size has shown that New Orleans has improved its shooting, but this appears to be an overreaction that adds further value to supporting Chicago at home.

Douglas Farmer - Betting Analyst at Covers

January 14, 2025 • 1:25 PM ET

• 4 min reading

Photo by – Imagn Images.

Did you see Duke superstar Cooper Flagg dazzle this weekend with 42 points on 14 field goals against Notre Dame? It doesn’t have an immediate impact on a game like the New Orleans Pelicans visiting the Chicago Bulls, but it should have confirmed the New Orleans realities that it’s time to give up on this season altogether.

Chicago has been too average to enjoy that clarity, seemingly stumbling into the Play-In tournament again.

These bigger-picture thoughts should be kept close to the front of mind when looking at my Pelicans vs Bulls predictions. Find out more in my NBA picks for Tuesday, January 14.

Pelicans vs Bulls Prediction

My best bet
Bulls moneyline (-120 at bet365)

My analysis
Backing the New Orleans Pelicans tonight would be putting an awful lot of faith in a two-game stretch of improved play. The Pelicans have gone 2-0 against the spread and 1-1 straight up in the last four days, with the 1-1 mark remarkable for a team that is a woeful 8-32 on the year.

This two-game stretch has seen New Orleans attempt 38.5 threes per game. games, making 17.5 of them. Shooting 45.5% from deep might not stand out as completely absurd, but realize the Pelicans shot just 33.6% from deep on 34.6 shots prior to these two games.

All due respect to CJ McCollum, but how often can he be expected to go 6-of-11 from deep? Forward Jordan Hawkins went 5-of-11 against the 76ers on Friday, and then Trey Murphy shot 5-of-10 against the Celtics on Sunday.

None of that should be expected to continue, though the Chicago Bulls have given up looks from deep more often than 27 other teams over the past month. Of the 40.7 threes attempted per night by Chicago opponents, only 33.8% of them have found the bottom of the net, No. 6 in the NBA.

Logic expects the Pelicans to return to their usual problematic shooting, something the Bulls are designed to encourage. And those misses will increase Chicago’s pace as the No. 3 fastest teams in the NBA in the last month.

Frankly, New Orleans’ success this week will play into the Bulls’ hands.

Pelicans vs Bulls parlay in the same game

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Bull’s money line

Jose Alvarado Over 5.5 points

Below 241

If anyone on the Pelicans’ roster is designed to excel in a frenetic game with lots of possessions and long rebounds, it’s the pest known as Jose Alvarado. To be clear, “pest” is a compliment.

But focus mostly on the total here.

The instinct may be to bet Over because of Chicago’s preferred pace. In fact, it was largely instinct.

However, the Bulls’ totals have been inflated since Lonzo Ball’s recent return. He has played in every game since Dec. 28, logging at least 19 minutes in each game. In that stretch, Chicago has conceded six Unders in eight games, falling short of the pregame total of an average of 9.9 points in regulation in those six Unders.

Pace is one thing, but if not coupled with shotmaking, then Unders will still be prevalent.

Learn how to bet on the same game with these helpful tips and strategies.

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Pelicans vs Bulls odds

Pelicans vs Bulls live odds

Pelicans vs Bulls opening odds

  • Spread: New Orleans +2.5 | Chicago -2.5
  • Moneyline: New Orleans +120 | Chicago -140
  • Over/Under: Over 232.5 | Below 232.5

Odds provided by bet365

Pelicans vs Bulls spread and Over/Under analysis

  • The Pelicans opened as 2.5 point underdogs on Monday night, a number that dropped to +1.5 overnight.
  • Obviously, doubt abounds in Chicago. But with equal rest apart from travel, it’s hard to figure out why there is that doubt.
  • That total opened at a meager 232.5, steamed to 237.5 before most of the country slept on Monday and then rose to 239.5 before sunrise.
  • The total peaked at 242 late Monday morning before falling to 241.

Pelicans vs Bulls trend

Chicago has gone 6-2 against the spread with Ball back in the lineup since Dec. 28, including 5-0 ATS at home. Find more NBA betting trends for Pelicans vs. Bulls.

How to watch Pelicans vs Bulls

Location: United Center, Chicago, IL
Date: Tuesday 14-1-2025
Tip off: 8 p.m. ET
TV: GCSEN, CHSN

Pelicans vs Bulls latest injuries

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