Chicago Bulls vs Denver Nuggets Prediction: Can the inconsistent Bulls take care of revved-up Nuggets?

The NBA Regular Season in the early parts has been tougher than the last season to predict. Some heavyweights have been slow out of the gates while other teams that were considered mediocre have set the stage on fire through some unbelievable performances. Then there are some teams that have been carrying their struggles from last season into the new season. And one of those teams Chicago Bulls will take on the Denver Nuggets here.

Chicago Bulls

The Bulls come into this game after losing 111:115 to the New Orleans Pelicans despite a 33 points outburst by DeMar DeRozan. The Bulls have lost three of the last four games and have seven losses and a six-wins record. They have lost two in a row three times now and are yet to win more than two games in a row thus far. Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan form a strong duo but they still lack the killer edge needed to string together multiple games in a row.

Without Lonzo Ball, the Bulls have suffered as they lack a consistent playmaker, someone who can push the pace and also stretch the floor through his knockdown shooting. The defense isn’t of a high level and is pretty much the replica of the last season and that isn’t surprising considering that the core of the team is pretty much like the last season. Ayo Dosunmu is a decent off-guard but the team needs Lonzo Ball instead of him as a starter as he is a much better playmaker. Goran Dragic gives bench depth as a Scoring Guard whereas Nikola Vucevic is a superb Center with his scoring and rebounding skills. Patrick Williams gives defensive depth but overall, the Bulls have struggled quite a bit.

Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets come into this game after losing 112:131 against the Boston Celtics despite a 29 points performance by Nikola Jokic. Although it was a big loss, the Nuggets have been in great touch, having won eight of 12 games. They have won four out of the last five games and they look like a better unit than last season. The Nuggets have scored 110 or more in more than 90% of games and their offense looks in great shape. The scoring has amazing balance with a versatile scorer like Nikola Jokic at the helm.

Jamal Murray has been getting in the groove, and Michael Porter Jr has been solid as a slasher. Aaron Gordon keeps having big games every now and then and he gives great balance to the lineup. Bruce Brown has been tremendous off the bench and as a player who can play multiple positions and also act as an injury cover, his contributions are vital. The defense may not be elite level but switches on at a convenient time. The concern is related to injuries, especially when it comes to Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr.

Injuries

• Nuggets: OUT: Bones Hyland, Ish Smith, Colin Gillespie;
• Bulls: OUT: Coby White, Lonzo Ball.

Player Props

• Expected Leading Scorers: DeMar DeRozan(28-34 Points), Nikola Jokic(27-34 Points), Zach LaVine(23-28 Points);
• Expected Leading Playmaker: Nikola Jokic(8-12 Assists);
• Expected Leading Rebounders: Nikola Jokic(11-15 Rebounds), Nikola Vucevic(12-16 Rebounds).

Expert Betting Tips

The Nuggets have been a stellar offensive squad thus far and their ability to use Nikola Jokic in different sets enables them to dictate the term on that end. The Bulls are the type of team that is especially vulnerable against such types of offense and sometimes they lack the firepower to match up to them, over-relying on their isolation style of play. The Nuggets are one of the best assist making team in the league. The Bulls can stagnate at times but it is their defense that holds them back more often than not. I believe the Nuggets will exploit the Bulls’ weaknesses and end up with a win here. I believe the total points range will be 235-245.