Friday night's NBA betting action is highlighted by the Eastern Conference's top team take on another club vying for a playoff spot, with the Philadelphia 76ers welcoming the Chicago Bulls to town.
Can Chicago keep their good form going and upset Philadelphia to earn a third consecutive victory? Check out our NBA free picks and predictions for Bulls vs. 76ers on Friday, February 19, with tipoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Chicago Bulls at Philadelphia 76ers betting preview
Injuries
Bulls: Otto Porter Jr. SF (Out), Lauri Markkanen PF (Out).
76ers: Shake Milton PG (Questionable), Ben Simmons PG (Probable).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Bulls are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 road games. Find more NBA betting trends for Mavericks vs. Rockets.
NBA sharp money and line movement report
By Patrick EversonPhiladelphia hit the PointsBet USA odds board as 9.5-point chalk this morning and within a couple of hours was down to -8, where the line remains as of 4:30 p.m. ET. The betting splits back up that line drop, with ticket count almost 3/1 and money 4/1 on Chicago. There's been some back and forth on the total, which opened 229.5, peaked at 230.5 and is now down to 228, with ticket count just shy of 2/1 on the Over, but money a shade over 2/1 on the Under.
Check out the full line movement for this gameAgainst the spread (ATS) pick
It's becoming increasingly apparent that the Bulls are a different team without pseudo-Gregg Popovich/former head coach Jim Boylen prowling the sideline. Chicago has been a tough out for most teams all season long, currently winners of two straight while four of its last five losses have come by a combined 11 points. The Bulls' 16-11 ATS record is indicative of who they are: a middle-of-the-pack team that can play even the most difficult of opponents tough.
And a difficult opponent is exactly who the Bulls will see on Friday night.
Despite having just snapped a three-game losing streak, Philadelphia sits atop the Eastern Conference at 19-10. It is getting career-best play out of its two franchise cornerstones, with Joel Embiid in the MVP mix and Ben Simmons possibly the Defensive Player of the Year favorite at the moment. However, the 76ers do make a habit out of letting teams back in games, going 14-14-1 ATS on the season. After dominating the Rockets in the first half on Wednesday, the Sixers were outscored 70-49 in the second half to let Houston cover.
With Chicago's penchant for playing teams close and a generous line, we'll take the Bulls to cover on Friday night.
PREDICTION: Bulls +9.5 (-110)
Over/Under pick
Though Philadelphia is led by two All-Defense level players in Simmons and Embiid, this matchup has the makings of a high-scoring affair.
On one end, Chicago should be completely overmatched by Embiid. The MVP candidate has been matchup-proof in 2021 and the Bulls' platoon of Thaddeus Young and Wendell Carter Jr. will be of little resistance. Philadelphia can manufacture offense whenever its needs it in this one, dumping it off to Embiid in the post and letting the big go to work down low.
On the other end, the Bulls have a force of their own to rely on. Offensive dynamo Zach LaVine is having the best season of his career, pouring in 28.5 points a night on 52/44/85 shooting splits (he's also averaging career-highs with 5.2 assists per game and 5.5 rebounds per game). The former dunk contest champion has become a three-level scorer, capable of producing offense out of nowhere. While Simmons has stymied some of the league's best this year, LaVine's form in 2021 is nearly matchup proof. Even with a tough opponent, expect Chicago to put up points.
With neither the Bulls (15-12 O/U) or the 76ers (17-12 O/U) consistently hitting the Under, we like this one to go Over in what should be a fun contest.
PREDICTION: Over 229.5 (-110)
Player prop pick
There are few more pleasing sights in basketball than seeing Simmons grab a defensive rebound off the rim then turn and lead a fastbreak the other way. Simmons' ability to play in transition, whether it's attacking the rim or kicking out to a shooter, is a big reason Philadelphia is second in the NBA in fastbreak points per game at 15.8.
However, for all of Chicago's problems on the defensive end (of which there are many, they're currently 19th in defensive rating), transition defense isn't one of them. The Bulls allow the fifth-fewest points in transition in the NBA at just 10.6 per game. Their ability to get back on defense and matchup on the fly will be crucial to slowing Simmons down on offense.
Matchups on the other end will play a big factor in Simmons' effectiveness, as well. One of the biggest reasons Simmons is a Defensive Player of the Year contender in 2021 is his ability to defend the opponent's best player, regardless of position. That means he's likely to draw the thankless assignment of defending LaVine. That, in itself, is an exhausting proposition for any defender.
Simmons sat out Wednesday's win over the Rockets due to an illness, but he is probable to play in this one. With so many reasons to assume a low-scoring night for Simmons — the Bulls' transition defense, his tall task on defense and Chicago's lack of answers for Embiid in the post — take him to go Under his points total, assuming he plays.
PREDICTION: Ben Simmons Under 15.5 Points (-120)
Bulls vs 76ers betting card
- Bulls +9.5 (-110)
- Over 229.5 (-110)
- Ben Simmons Under 15.5 Points (-120)
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