Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Chicago Bulls Pick | Nov 7

Minnesota Timberwolves (4-3 SU, 2-5 ATS) vs. Chicago Bulls (3-5 SU, 3-5 ATS)

When: Thursday, November 7th, 8:00 PM (ET)

Where: United Center, IL, Chicago

TV: NBA

Point Spread: Min -8/Chi +8

Total: 227.5

Money Line: Minnesota Timberwolves -327/+263

Notable Injuries

Timberwolves

• No Injuries Reported

Bulls

• Zach LaVine (Questionable) Adductor
• Lonzo Ball (Out) Wrist

At 8:00 ET, the Timberwolves (-327) will take on the Bulls (+263) at the United Center in Chicago. The over/under line for this non-conference matchup is currently set at 227.5.

Minnesota (-8) comes into this game with a 4-3 record, while Chicago is 3-5. You can catch this game on NBA TV

Recent Form

The Timberwolves improved to 4-3 on the season with a 114-93 home win over the Hornets on Monday. Minnesota, favored by 10.5 points, covered the spread, while the game’s total of 207 points fell short of the 225.5 O/U line.

An 11-0 run helped the Timberwolves take control early, turning an 18-14 deficit into a 25-18 lead. They outscored Charlotte 33-21 in the 2nd quarter and 34-26 in the 3rd, entering the 4th with a 91-71 advantage. Minnesota edged the Hornets 23-22 in the final period.

Chicago’s season record fell to 3-5 after a 119-99 road loss to the Mavericks on Wednesday. The Bulls, who entered the game as +10.5 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread, losing by 20 points. The total score of 218 points was well under the pre-game line of 236.5.

A 17-0 run by Dallas early in the game set the tone, as they jumped from a 9-6 lead to 23-9. Chicago trailed 32-24 after the 1st quarter and 56-45 at halftime. Another strong 3rd quarter by Dallas (32-23) put the Bulls behind 88-68 going into the 4th, where both teams scored 31 points.

The Historicals

When looking at how these teams have performed against the spread in recent matchups, the Bulls hold the edge at 4-1. However, the average scoring margin in these matchups has been tight, sitting at just 0 points per game. In these matchups, the teams have put together an over-under mark of 4-1. Combined, they averaged 250 points in these games.

Analysis

The Timberwolves connected on 18 threes at a 47.4% clip in their win over the Hornets, with Naz Reid leading the way, hitting five threes at 71.4% and finishing with a team-high 25 points and nine rebounds. Anthony Edwards added 21 points, knocking down four threes at 66.7%.

Donte DiVincenzo contributed 14 points, hitting three threes, while Julius Randle and Mike Conley added 13 and 11 points, respectively. The Timberwolves shot 49.4% from the field overall.

The Timberwolves’ defense was rock-solid against the Hornets, holding them to just 93 points. Minnesota gave up 24 points in the 1st quarter but tightened up in the 2nd, allowing only 21. They conceded 26 points in the 3rd but finished strong, giving up just 22 in the 4th.

Overall, the Timberwolves held the Hornets to 39% shooting, including just 23% from three, where Charlotte made only ten threes. Minnesota sent the Hornets to the line 16 times, where they hit 13 free throws. The Timberwolves also recorded seven steals and eight blocks.

The Bulls struggled offensively in their 119-99 loss to the Mavericks, shooting just 41.9% from the field and 28.6% from three-point range. They made 12 threes, with Matas Buzelis hitting 3 of his attempts at a 75% clip.

Nikola Vucevic led the Bulls with 14 points and ten rebounds, shooting 70% from the field and scoring 8 points in the first quarter. Buzelis added 13 points, including 8 in the 3rd quarter, while Josh Giddey contributed 10 points and six assists despite shooting 33.3%.

The Bulls gave up 119 points to the Mavericks, allowing 32 points in both the 1st and 3rd quarters and 31 in the 4th. They had their best defensive effort in the 2nd quarter, where they allowed 24 points.

Chicago held Dallas to 31% shooting from three, with the Mavericks making 12 threes. The Bulls sent Dallas to the line 21 times, where they hit 17 free throws. On the boards, Chicago grabbed 37 defensive rebounds but allowed nine offensive boards. They also recorded eight steals and two blocks.

Betting Trends

• In their last ten games away from home, the Timberwolves have a record of 6-4 while going 6-4 vs. the spread. The team averaged 106 points per game in this stretch.
• Although Chicago has a straight-up record of 4-6 in their last ten home games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 5-5. The team averaged 114 points per game in these games.
• In their last three games as the betting underdog, the Bulls have a straight-up record of 1-2 and an ATS mark of 1-2.
• Looking back on the team’s last ten games as the favorite, the Timberwolves have a straight up record of 4-6. Their record vs the spread in these games was 2-8.

Joes Pick To Cover The Spread

With Zach Lavine dealing with an injury and Lonzo Ball already out, the Timberwolves are in a position to roll in this one. Minnesota bounced back from their loss to the Spurs this weekend with an easy win over the Hornets. I expect more of the same on Thursday night, as the Wolves should not only pick up the win but cover the spread in Chicago.