Chicago Bulls vs. Indiana Pacers Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 2/4/2022

Time: 7 p.m. ET

Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN

Where to watch: BSIN, NBCSCH

DraftKings: Bulls -2

BetMGM: Bulls -1.5

Caesars: NL

Bulls: 32-19 (1st place, East)

Pacers: 19-34 (13th, East)

Given the way that the Chicago Bulls had played this year, it would be very difficult for me to think that they could lose back-to-back games. But the fact that they're coming off a second night on a back to back on the road against the Indiana Pacers, I will give the nod to the home team in this matchup.

The Bulls are coming off a very hard-fought game on Thursday night against the Toronto Raptors in what was an overtime loss north of the border.

DeMar DeRozan returned to Toronto was not a successful venture for the top seeded bulls who lead the Eastern Conference now at 32-19. DeRozan, the longtime Toronto player for many years, finished with 28 points, six rebounds, and seven assists while playing 45 minutes in Chicago's loss to Toronto.

Nikola Vucevic did have 30 points and 18 rebounds in a stellar effort from the Chicago big man, but the Bulls didn’t get any other help outside of those two. Zach LaVine had only 15 points and took 10 shots, while Coby White had 16 points on 15 attempts off the bench.

Chicago has still won four of its last six and is coming off a well put together offensive performance over the last four games. They have scored at least 110 points in their last six games and have been able to put together enough of an offensive performance despite the loss of Lonzo ball and Alex Caruso.

Indiana has alternated wins and losses over the last five games and is coming off a one-point loss to the Orlando Magic at home on Wednesday. The Pacers have just not been able to find that consistency, that rhythm, that you would expect from a Rick Carlisle coached team in his first season back with Indiana.

But the Pacers are going through some struggles right now considering who they do not have in their lineup. Domantas Sabonis, their All-Star big man, was not in the lineup, nor was Myles Turner, their starting center.

But Indiana is going to find ways to score the basketball, even with those two out. Caris LeVert had 26 points, 5 rebounds and five assists to lead Indiana, and Torrey Craig had 22 points as well while shooting 50% from the field.

We saw this a couple of weeks ago from the bulls when they were on the second leg of a back-to-back playing Orlando on the road while shorthanded. Despite DeRozan scoring 40 points the Bulls still lost by double digits. Chicago may have more ammo this time with LaVine back in the lineup, but I do not trust Chicago after such a hard-fought game against the Raptors, going on the road to Indiana and trying to avenge a very tough loss.

If the Pacers can get another well rounded effort from the likes of LeVert, Craig, and Terry Taylor off the bench, I like the Pacers chances to not only bounce back and get what would be considered a very nice win after what happened the other night, but to instill some confidence in a team that actually needs it. Pacers by 10

The Bulls are 6-3 ATS against division opponents this season.

The Pacers are 10-9 ATS this season when playing six games or more in 10 days.

The Pacers are 6-4 ATS on Friday games this season.

PG: Ayo Dosunmu

SG: Zach LaVine
SF: Javonte Green
PF: DeMar DeRozan
C: Nikola Vucevic

PG: Caris LeVert

SG: Chris Duarte
SF: Justin Holiday
PF: Torrey Craig
C: Terry Taylor

Bulls: Lonzo Ball (knee, out), Alex Caruso (wrist, out), Derrick Jones Jr. (finger, out)

Pacers: Malcolm Brogdon (Achilles, out), Domantas Sabonis (COVID, out), T.J. McConnell (COVID, out), Myles Turner (foot, out), T.J. Warren (foot, out)