The Chicago Bulls (27-38) and Los Angeles Lakers (40-25) will meet in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 10:30 p.m. ET from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. The game will broadcast live on CHSN+.
The Lakers are 11-point favorites over the Bulls on the spread (Lakers -11), with the over/under set at 236 total points. Los Angeles is a -560 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Chicago is +400 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into our Bulls vs. Lakers predictions and NBA picks for Thursday, March 12.
Bulls vs Lakers Prediction, Pick
- Bulls vs Lakers pick: Over 236 (-110)
Our Lakers vs. Bulls best bet is Over 236 total points. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Bulls vs Lakers Odds
| Bulls Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+11 -110 | 236 -110o / -110u | +400 |
| Lakers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-11 -110 | 236 -110o / -110u | -560 |
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Bulls vs Lakers NBA Preview
The Lakers have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA lately, winning six of their last seven contests, and they continued that strong stretch with a 120-106 win over the Timberwolves earlier this week, extending to three consecutive victories on their current home-stand.
What makes the run even more impressive is that it has come without LeBron James, who has been sidelined with a hip contusion and ongoing foot issues.
Even without King James, the Lakers have found plenty of offensive production from Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Doncic recorded his seventh triple-double of the season against Minnesota, finishing with 31 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, while Reaves matched him with 31 points and eight assists of his own.
Chicago enters this matchup after finally snapping a brutal stretch that included an 11-game losing streak, which tied the third-longest skid in franchise history.
Meanwhile, the Bulls are beginning to show signs of life, winning three of their last five games, including an impressive 130-124 overtime victory against the Warriors on Tuesday.
That game turned into an offensive showcase for Chicago, as Matas Buzelis erupted for a career-high 41 points, while Josh Giddey delivered a monster performance with 21 points, 17 assists and 13 rebounds for his 10th triple-double of the season.
The injury report will be worth monitoring heading into tipoff. Buzelis and Giddey are both listed as probable with ankle issues.
Chicago also has several rotation questions.
Collin Sexton missed the last game with a leg contusion, while Patrick Williams and Guerschon Yabusele are listed as questionable. Meanwhile, Anfernee Simons remains sidelined with a hand injury.
For Los Angeles, James is officially questionable, while Marcus Smart is doubtful and Maxi Kleber is also questionable.
The first meeting between these teams this season produced plenty of fireworks.
The Lakers took that game by a score of 129-118 in late January behind a massive 46-point performance from Doncic.
Bulls vs Lakers Predictions, Betting Analysis
With Chicago dealing with a plenty of injuries concerns, and the Lakers continuing to generate efficient scoring at home, this matchup has the ingredients for another shootout similar to their last meeting.
One angle that supports a high-scoring outcome comes from our “Bad Road Overs” betting system.
The concept highlights teams that start a road trip following a difficult stretch of results.
After extended losing streaks or poor recent performances, the betting market often adjusts too aggressively against those teams.
When they finally hit the road, however, the change of environment can create a reset mentally and stylistically, often leading to more aggressive play and faster-paced games.
That situation fits the Bulls well here.
Chicago recently endured a long losing streak and is now beginning a road swing after showing signs of offensive life, including a 130-point outing against Golden State.
Teams in this spot frequently play with urgency, and that tends to translate into higher-scoring games rather than slower defensive battles.
On the other side, the Lakers have been playing fast and efficiently on offense, especially with Doncic and Reaves handling a large share of the creation while James remains sidelined.
Pick: Over 236 (-110)
