The only game on Week 6 Tuesday will surely be in the focus, despite two rebuilding teams being featured. The Chicago Bulls will visit the Staples Center to play the Los Angeles Lakers. Twin brothers Lopez will face each other, former Bull Luol Deng will have a close look at how much the roster changed since his days and the NBA will get to see rookies Ball, Markkanen, and Kuzma go at each other for the first time.
Bulls at Lakers
Spread: Los Angeles Lakers -5.5 (-110) at BetDSI Sportsbook
Total: o/u 210.5 points (-110)
The Bulls lose in Phoenix to start the trip
The rebuilding season in Chicago was really tough on the team and the coaches, on multiple levels, so it’s unclear whether they had any hopes of fixing broken links during this road trip. Mirotic did not travel with the team, Holiday’s head is in parenting and the coaches are unsure what to make of Grant-Dunn rivalry for the starting point guard position. The road trip also started on the downside – the Bulls lost in Phoenix 105-113 after an up and down contest between two lottery-bound teams.
Playing the Suns was the perfect opportunity to boost some individual stats, but only a few Bulls players managed to do so. Sweet shooting rookie Markkanen had the best offensive game of the season and his young career, shooting 10-of-19 for 26 points and 13 rebounds. Robin Lopez was solid as usual, 16 points and 10 rebounds. However, the rest of the starters were not on the same level. Holiday was coming off a good night against Charlotte and was pumped up to go for another big scoring night, but taking any shot isn’t the answer – he finished with 13 points while attempting 20 field goals. The Bulls came out of the gate hot, scoring 37 points in the first quarter, but only managed to gain some control when the starters left the game. Kris Dunn thoroughly outplayed starting PG Jerian Grant (again), going for 17 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and Chicago were +7 during his court time. Grant was -15 on the plus/minus, connected on just a single field goal and had just 2 boards and 2 dimes. It’s a matter of time until Dunn replaces him, and everybody’s knowing it – but only Grant is behaving like it’s all the same. Portis came alive too, scoring 12 points for the second unit. There were plenty of shots to be taken, as the pace was hectic. Chicago attempted 101 field goal and 36 threes, but only shot 41.6 percent from the field. They allowed 50.6 percent to the Suns, and that made all the difference in the game.
Chicago guard Zach LaVine, who has missed the first 14 games rehabbing his left knee, is on track to practice for the first time Monday when the Bulls are in Los Angeles to play the Lakers. He won’t play for at least a week or two, but it’s still encouraging news for Bulls fans, as they would really use some help in the backcourt.
Place: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Date/Time: Tuesday, November 21st, 2017. 10:30 PM ET
TV Coverage: NBATV, Sportsnet One
The Lakers win after three Nuggets sent to the locker room
The Lakers bounced back very nicely against the Denver Nuggets, winning 127-109 on Sunday night in a wild game.
After a few poor showings, rookie sensation Lonzo Ball put his mark on this game. picked up a triple-double with 11 points, 16 rebounds, and 11 assists. He still wasn’t efficient as a shooter — 5-of-13 overall, but he controlled the flow of the game to his liking, pushing the ball through dribble and pass and putting the Nuggets on their heals. Julius Randle was also a big part of the win, scoring 24 points and adding 7 rebounds and 5 assists, enjoying the night. Randle came off the bench early in the first quarter and the move clearly inspired him. The Lakers jumped up in front, quickly building a 15-point lead, and it frustrated the Nuggets. After a missed call, coach Malone and team star Jokic were ejected, and the Nuggets also lost Millsap to an injury, all in the second quarter. These events helped the Lakers build on the lead and the game was essentially over by halftime as the Lakers took a 70-48 lead into the intermission. In total, seven players scored in double figures, each starter and Randle and Clarkson off the bench, as the Lakers shot 53 percent from the field and had 70 points scored in the paint.
Aside Nance’s two-weeks old injury, the Lakers are healthy entering this game. They are wrapping up the four-game homestand, hoping to get a split on it, but they stay in Caly for the next three games, including a ‘visiting’ game to the Clippers and a home showdown with the Warriors.
Chicago Bulls at Los Angeles Lakers Game Trends & Prediction
The Bulls couldn’t cover against the Suns, lifted by just 2.5-point spread, so they struck out for the fourth time in five games, with the only exception being the game against Charlotte in which they pulled an improbable win by scoring 40 in the fourth quarter. Overall, the Bulls are 7-7 ATS, splitting both home and away records. It was also the second consecutive game that they managed to eclipse 100 point mark, resulting in a second over game in a row. On the total points market, the Bulls are 6-8 overall, but 5-3 when traveling.
The Lakers seized the opportunity and made a payday for those of us who trusted them, but took it back on the under bet we also had. It’s only the second time in six games that they’ve covered, so it would have been sweeter if it wasn’t nullified. The overs was third in the row though, as the Lakers continue to either have an over or an under week. Overall, they are 8-9 in both spread and totals markets. Over is 5-0 in Lakers last 5 home games.
Admi-Rank: The Lakers have an edge in this matchup, not only for the results they’ve had or the reputation of their players, but have also shown more on the basketball court. The Bulls will surprise once in a while, but that’s their maximum, while the Lakers aren’t too far behind teams that hope to contest for the playoff spot after the All Star break.
The Lakers are a young team, and those usually better respond to losses, trying to make up for a bad game, missed assignments or a poor shooting night. Having to play games they ought to win is something different, especially coming off a contest in which they could do no wrong. The Bulls are playing like they have nothing to lose, especially recently, but I’m not sure that they simply have enough firepower to stay in the game with the Lakers.
The bookies have the Lakers as a 5.5-point jolly in this game and I believe they are underestimating them again. While it’s true that they don’t show up each night, there’s a larger difference between the two sides. The Bulls very rarely do positive things on the court, and the home side has the depth to deal with the periods of Bulls sleepwalking. I’m also interested in totals market, as the line is set to 210.5 points. It seems that the Bulls offensive struggles have been fast forgotten, but I don’t see much improvement, which is why I expect the totals to go in the under.
My Pick: L.A. Lakers -5.5 (-110)
Total: Under 210.5 points (-110)
