Los Angeles Clippers vs Chicago Bulls: Prediction, Starting Lineups, Odds (1/31/23)

The Los Angeles Clippers visit the Chicago Bulls in a big cross conference clash. The Clippers are coming off a blowout loss to the Cavaliers on the road, while the Bulls are coming off a blowout win against the Magic on the road. This should be an interesting matchup for each team’s seeding in their conferences. Let’s take a look at the odds and make some picks and predictions for this game!

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Chicago Bulls Betting Odds

The Los Angeles Clippers are a 3-point road favorite against the Chicago Bulls and are at -165 on the money line. There’s also no over/under listed just yet. The Clippers being favored here makes sense because they seem like they found a groove recently, while the Bulls have been struggling. The over/under should be high because both of these teams are very good on offense. This spread should stay where it’s at before tip-off.

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Chicago Bulls Prediction

The pick: Los Angeles Clippers -3

The Clippers seem like they may have found something recently. They’ve been inconsistent all year, but have went on a little run recently to get back in the top four of the Western Conference.

Paul George leads the team in scoring, assists, and steals per game for the season. He’s been more available than Kawhi Leonard this year and has been better because of it. Kawhi Leonard is second in scoring and steals per game on the Clippers. Norman Powell and Marcus Morris Sr. have both been very good too on the wing and down low.

As a team, the Clippers excel more on defense than on offense. They are third in points allowed at 110.7. They can defend any team, but have struggled to score consistently at times this year.

On the other side, the Bulls have been very inconsistent this year. DeMar DeRozan has done it all for Chicago and leads the team in points and assists per game this year. Zach LaVine is right behind DeRozan in scoring, but he’s been inconsistent in too many games this year. Nikola Vucevic is very good down low as a big man and leads the team in rebounds and blocks too. Patrick Williams is a key for Chicago too and has been underrated this year.

As a team, the Bulls excel more on offense than on defense. They are 5th in field goal percentage at 48.9% per game.

The Clippers rested their better players last game due to the back-to-back factor, but they will play in this game. Paul George and Kawhi Leonard are obvious difference makers and because they are playing, take the Clippers here. Even though the game is in Chicago, the Clippers are playing better now and should win and cover this game.

Betting Trends

Clippers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games playing on 1 days rest.

Bulls are 8-0-1 ATS in their last 9 games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game.

Key Matchups

Can Zach LaVine matchup with Paul George? Can Kawhi Leonard matchup with DeMar DeRozan?

Paul George vs. Zach LaVine

Paul George is having one of his best years ever statistically. He’s averaging 24 points, 5 assists, and 6 rebounds per game for the season. He’ll be matched up against Zach LaVine most of the game who averages 24 points, 4 assists, and 5 rebounds per game for the season. George has been more consistent than LaVine this year, but they are very similar. These are two of their teams leading scorers, so this matchup is huge because of just how much offense each player accounts for.

DeMar DeRozan vs. Kawhi Leonard

DeMar DeRozan is having one of his best seasons in his career this year. He’s averaging 26 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds per game for the season. He’ll be matched up against Kawhi Leonard most of the game who averages 21 points, 4 assists, and 6 rebounds per game for the season. DeRozan has been more consistent than Leonard this year, but Leonard is the more talented player. DeRozan accounts for a lot of Chicago’s offense so it will be interesting to see how Leonard defends him because of how good he is on defense overall.

Los Angeles Clippers Starting Lineup

PG: Terance Mann
SG: Paul George
SF: Kawhi Leonard
PF: Nicolas Batum
C: Ivica Zubac

Chicago Bulls Starting Lineups

PG: Ayo Dosunmu
SG: Zach LaVine
SF: DeMar DeRozan
PF: Patrick Williams
C: Nikola Vucevic

Key Injuries

Los Angeles Clippers Injuries: PG Reggie Jackson (Achilles) Q, PG John Wall (Abdominal) O

Chicago Bulls Injuries: PG Lonzo Ball (Knee) Q, Derrick Jones Jr. (Ankle) P