Chicago Bulls vs. Cleveland Cavaliers February 11 Betting Preview
The Cleveland Cavaliers (36-22) look to extend their win streak to six games tonight at home against the Chicago Bulls (26-29). Cleveland, fresh off of a 118-107 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, are now fourth in the Eastern Conference and just one game back of the Philadelphia 76ers in third. Chicago is in a play-in spot, ninth overall in the East, but just one game up on the 11th-place Toronto Raptors.
Cleveland has won all three games this season against its Central Division rival, including a 145-134 overtime victory on January 2. Chicago had won three of four against Cleveland last season.
Bulls Betting Preview
Chicago is 5-5 in their last 10 games and have dropped consecutive games to the Memphis Grizzlies and Brooklyn Nets. They rank 17th in PPG (114.2) and are a fairly efficient defensive team with the league's ninth-best defensive rating (113.8).
DeMar DeRozan is the Bulls' leading scorer with 25.7 PPG. The veteran continues to prove himself as one of the best mid-range scorers in the league. However, he has scored 20 or fewer in four of his last five games. DeRozan is a game-time decision with a hip injury, but it's likely he plays.
Chicago was one of two teams in the NBA to not make a trade ahead of the trade deadline on Thursday. There was word they were discussing a Zach LaVine trade with the New York Knicks, but that never came to fruition. It'll be tough for the Bulls to hold on to a play-in spot considering the reinforcements the teams behind them received prior to the deadline.
Cavaliers Betting Preview
Cleveland was playing mediocre basketball for most of January, alternating wins and losses for the better part of the month, but they've finally been able to string together some wins and move up in the competitive Eastern Conference.
A major reason for their improved play as of late is Evan Mobley. The second-year center is averaging 15.6 PPG this season but has eclipsed that figure in each of his last six games. He scored 28 points to go along with 13 rebounds in Cleveland's win over New Orleans on Friday night. Isaac Okoro is also chipping in with a larger workload. He's averaging 6.4 points in 20.9 minutes per game this season, but has at least seven points in his last five games, including 20 points in a 122-103 win over the Indiana Pacers on February 5.
Bulls vs. Cavaliers Betting Odds and Prediction
The Cavs will be the favorites at home this evening.
Although the Cavs are a great team at home (23-6), it's worth noting they flew overnight from New Orleans into Cleveland, while the Bulls haven't played since Thursday. There also hasn't been a four-game season sweep by either team since the Cavaliers won four against the Bulls in 2017-18. Cleveland may still get it done, but the Bulls +4.5 might still be a good play.
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