The Chicago Bulls’ wobbly home record is very similar to the Charlotte Hornets’ troubled record. So be prepared for anything when these teams meet at the United Center tonight.

Charlotte suffered an ugly eight-game skid last time out, but my Hornets vs. Bulls predictions favor a Chicago team with a higher scoring output.

Check out my NBA picks for this matchup on December 13th.

Hornets vs Bulls prediction

My best choice
Bulls -5.5 (-140 at bet365)

My analysis
There’s been a familiar sense of decline around the Charlotte Hornets lately, with LaMelo Ball sidelined and losses piling up – and injuries to Grant Williams and Tre Mann also taking their toll.

This means that there will be problems before a matchup against a strong Chicago Bulls offense.

The Bulls have dominated this tie in recent years, winning the last six meetings and coming out on top in every match, and I have no hesitation in handing the points over to the hosts.

Sure, just as Charlotte sweats over the availability of Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate, Chicago lists Nikola Vucevic, Patrick Williams and Josh Giddey as questionable. But there’s a good chance two of the trio play, and I expect the Chicago offense to finish fifth in the NBA in points per game.

In fact, the hosts have scored at least 119 points in eight of their last ten games and have exceeded the 125-point mark six times during that period.

Additionally, the Bulls trail only the Boston Celtics in 3-pointers made and attempts per game, and the difference from beyond the arc could be the No. 1 swing factor tonight.

I just don’t think this Hornets team can compete when it comes to a shootout. Charlotte is averaging just 107.1 points per game – only three teams are scoring fewer points this year – and attempting a league-worst 18.5 free throws per game.

This seems like a friendly place for the Bulls to turn around their worrisome 3-9 home record, considering the Hornets are 9-26 in their last 35 road games and 7-17 overall this season.

Chicago, which secured the final play-in spot, has missed its last two contests, but I expect the hosts to remain in control here.

Same game between Hornets and Bulls

Bulls -5.5

Zach LaVine Over 22.5 points

Vasilije Micic Over 6.5 assists

Zach LaVine’s scoring record is on par with the best players in the league, and we’ve seen that version in his last two outings – including a 30-point effort against the 76ers this past weekend.

Even though he’s dealing with back spasms, I see LaVine posting another dominant score here. With his 50% mark from the field this season, including an impressive 43% from downtown, that 22.5 O/U feels low against a reeling Charlotte team.

With LaMelo and Mann in street clothes, it’s “Next Man Up” for the Hornets. As a result, Vasilije Micic has seen an uptick in minutes as the starting point guard – and the results have been eye-catching.

He has 28 assists in his last three games in a larger role. The Bulls aren’t a defensive behemoth for anyone, and that paves the way for a smart player like Micic to rake in big money and develop a good rapport with Brandon Miller.

Learn how to place a bet in the same game with these helpful tips and strategies.

Hornets vs Bulls odds

Hornets vs Bulls live odds

Hornets vs. Bulls opening odds

• Spread: Charlotte +5 (-110) | Chicago -5 (-110)
• Money line: Charlotte +170 | Chicago -205
• Over/Under: Over 232 (-110) | Under 232 (-110)

Odds courtesy of bet365

Hornets vs. Bulls spread and over/under analysis

• The Bulls entered the game as 5-point favorites and have been going up ever since. We could see more movement once the injury question marks are resolved closer to the decision.
• The Hornets have conceded just 1H in 10 of their last 46 games and allowed 65 first-half points against the New York Knicks last week.
• The over is 15-10 for Chicago so far this year.
• Charlotte has trended slightly toward the under this season (10-13-1), but has been held to under 105 points in seven of its last eight games as key misses mounted.

Hornets vs. Bulls trend

In the last 10 meetings between these teams, the minors are 7-3. Find more NBA betting trends for Hornets vs. Bulls.

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Hornets vs. Bulls recent injuries

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