The Chicago Bulls are already locked into a play-in tournament spot in the Eastern Conference, though they’re trying to bounce back after two-straight double-digit losses following Tuesday’s 128-117 setback to the Knicks.
Chicago is going to play the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the play-in tournament, but still needs to secure home court for that matchup by locking up the No. 9 seed. The Bulls have a 1.5-game lead with three to play and a win as a big favorite Thursday against the lowly Pistons would help that cause. Can Chicago pll away as a big road favorite?
Here’s the betting preview for the matchup with a best bet.
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Bulls vs. Pistons odds, spread and total
Bulls vs. Pistons how to watch
- Date: Thursday, April 11
- Game time: 7 p.m. EST
- Venue: Little Caesars Arena
- How to watch (TV): Bally Sports
- Bulls record: 37-42
- Pistons record: 13-66
Bulls vs. Pistons injury report
Chicago Bulls
- Lonzo Ball (knee): out
- Alex Caruso (ankle): probable
- Ayo Dosunmu (quad): questionable
- Andre Drummond (ankle): doubtful
- Julian Phillips (foot): out
Detroit Pistons
- Cade Cunningham (knee): questionable
- Simone Fontecchio (toe): out
- Quentin Grimes (knee): out
- Isaiah Stewart (hamstring): out
- Ausar Thompson (illness): out
Bulls vs. Pistons key players to watch
Chicago Bulls
Javonte Green: The 6-foot-5 guard has played in six games this season since returning from knee surgery. He made his debut on March 27 and is averaging 10.7 points and 7.3 rebounds per game while shooting 62.5% from the field. Green has grabbed double-digit rebounds twice in his last three games following a 12-board performance in Tuesday’s loss to New York. He had a 25-point, 13-rebound double-double in Friday’s win over the Knicks.
Detroit Pistons
Jaden Ivey: Ivey, Detroit’s fifth overall pick in 2022, is averaging 15.5 points per game this season. With Cade Cunningham missing the last four games, Ivey has taken on more of the offensive workload and has scored 20-plus points in three of his last five outings. Ivey had a 16-point, 10-assist double-double in Saturday’s road loss to Brooklyn, then had 25 points in a loss to Philadelphia on Tuesday.
Bulls vs. Pistons prediction and pick
Chicago is led by its defense which is trying to turn things around after allowing the Knicks to shoot 55.4% from the field and 47.2% from 3-point range in Tuesday’s loss.
Look for some positive regression for a Chicago defense that is top half of the league in scoring. The Pistons could be without Cunningham, their leading scorer, once again. Detroit has lost its last seven games without Cunningham on the floor, with six of them coming by double digits following Tuesday’s 120-102 loss to the 76ers.
Chicago is in unfamiliar territory as a road favorite for just the 11th time this season (6-4 ATS). Can you trust the Bulls to pull away as heavy road chalk? For all of Detroit’s struggles as the Pistons limp toward the finish of a regular season and possibly the No. 1 pick in the draft, Chicago’s offense is not built to win with margin while playing at the 28th fastest pace in the league.
The Bulls are No. 19 in net offensive rating and rank 23rd in the NBA in scoring. In its last four games as a favorite of 8.5 or more points, the Bulls are 1-3 ATS with a pair of straight-up losses, including a 105-95 loss to Detroit in February. Take the points with Detroit.
Game odds update periodically and are subject to change.