by Chuck Sommers
Thursday, Feb 10, 2022
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Venue: United Center, Chicago, IL
Where to watch: NBCSCH, BSN
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
WynnBet: Bulls -2.5
BetOnline: Bulls -3.5
Caesars: NL
Season record
Bulls: 34-21
Timberwolves: 29-26
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Timberwolves - Bulls preview, analysis and prediction
Two teams that you would’ve normally thought to make a move at the trade deadline actually didn’t, so we just get a fun matchup between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Chicago Bulls in Chicago on Friday.
The Bulls open at 2.5-point favorites in some books, and I like that number against a red-hot Timberwolves team that’s coming off a 132-119 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday. Glad to say we were wrong about that one given the whole Domantas Sabonis situation and if he would play, but glad to see the one-game sample work well for the Kings.
But the line for Chicago doesn’t seem too large to feel confident in taking the underdog that’s won five of its last six. The Timberwolves covered all five during their winning streak and were 7-point favorites against the suddenly stacked Kings.
The Bulls have found ways to keep the foot on the gas despite being down Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso. It hasn’t been as seamless a transition having only gone 4-4 in their last eight, but the Bulls got an impressive win Wednesday against the Charlotte Hornets, in Charlotte, in the Michael Jordan Bowl.
DeMar DeRozan continued his MVP push with 36 points on an efficient 13 of 19 shooting, while Nikola Vucevic finished two assists shy of a triple-double with 18 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists. Zach LaVine also chipped in with 27 points for the conference-leading Bulls.
But I could see how the lack of Ball and Caruso will play into how the Timberwolves utilize their guards. D’Angelo Russell is still one of the best 1-on-1 ball handlers in the league and Coby White doesn’t present the greatest matchup defensively.
The key matchup is DeRozan taking on Anthony Edwards. Karl-Anthony Towns and Vucevic cancel each other out, but the battle of the small forwards will be enticing. One of the best in the game going against one of the best young players in the league will be one to watch.
If it comes down to the wire, I like the chances of the Bulls keeping things locked with their defense. While this would be a really good win for the young Minnesota team, I trust Chicago in a close one. Bulls by 8
Betting trends
The over is 50-29 when the Timberwolves are a road underdog.
The Timberwolves are 8-0 ATS following a road loss of 10 points or more.
The over is 11-0 when the Bulls play a home game where the total is greater than 220.
The Bulls are 29-23 ATS as a home favorite.
Projected starting lineup
Timberwolves:
PG: Patrick Beverley
SG: D'Angelo Russell
SF: Anthony Edwards
PF: Jarred Vanderbilt
C: Karl-Anthony Towns
SF: Anthony Edwards
PF: Jarred Vanderbilt
C: Karl-Anthony Towns
Bulls:
PG: Ayo Dosunmu
SG: Zach LaVine
SF: Javonte Green
PF: DeMar DeRozan
C: Nikola Vucevic
SF: Javonte Green
PF: DeMar DeRozan
C: Nikola Vucevic
Key injuries
Timberwolves: None
Bulls: Lonzo Ball (knee, out), Alex Caruso (wrist, out), Patrick Williams (wrist, out), Derrick Jones Jr. (finger, out)
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
