Can the Bulls cover as an underdog vs. the Jazz? NBA Predictions 3/18/17

Jazz vs. Bulls Pick

Will the Chicago Bulls be able to rally together as a big home underdog tonight as they face the Utah Jazz at 9PM ET?

According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Jazz are the clear road favorite, as Utah is getting odds of -7 points against the Bulls. The over/under total for the game is listed at 194 points. Chicago won the lone meeting this season, 85-77 at home back on Jan. 17.

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It’s been a rough go for Chicago as of late. The Bulls have lost two straight and seven of their last eight to fall to 32-37 on the season. They now sit two games out of the playoff race in the East. To make matters worse, Dwyane Wade was just lost for the season with a fracture in his elbow. He was averaging 18.6 points and 3.9 assists per game this season. The Bulls are 33-36 against the spread on the season and 3-7 ATS in their last 10. Over their last five games they have averages just 97.4 points per game while allowing 106.8 on defense. Jimmy Butler has been the team leader all season with 23.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. He will have to step up even more now with Wade out.

Utah is coming off a 91-83 loss at Cleveland, but the Jazz have still won six of their last eight to improve to 43-26 on the season. Utah sits in the fourth spot in the West, 11.5 games out of first. The Jazz are just 31-35-3 against the spread on the season, though, but 3-1-1 ATS in their last five. Utah averages 100.5 points per game on offense this season while allowing 96.3 on defense. Gordon Hayward has been the team leader with 21.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while Rudy Gobert adds 13.2 points and 12.8 rebounds per contest.

Bet on Jazz vs. Bulls

Utah also has some injury issues with Rodney Hood questionable and Derrick Favors out, but the Jazz are just the better team. However, Chicago could use the Wade injury as a springboard to something good. This could give other players a chance to step up in his absence. Despite coming off a loss to the Wizards on Friday, they still only fell by five points. Chicago should have some pride at home and mange to cover against a Utah team that won’t put up a huge offensive number.

 

NBA DAILY PREDICTION: CHICAGO BULLS +7