Chicago Bulls vs. Los Angeles Lakers Predictions, Odds, Picks

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

6 minute read

Nov. 15, 2021

Eytan Shander
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

Life without James hasn’t been easy for the Lakers, but they’ve won three of four heading into Monday night. Down LeBron for the seventh straight game, the Lakers will host the Bulls at 10:30 p.m. ET on NBATV

Score Prediction

Lakers 128, Bulls 112

Best Bets

Lakers -1

Chicago Bulls vs. Los Angeles Lakers Predictions

The Bulls got a needed win over the Clippers to even their road trip at 1-1, they’ve done it without Nikola Vucevic as he missed the entire trip with a positive COVID test. Chicago has an incredible duo – trio if you add Ball – who can light up teams for 50-70 points in DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine. But Chicago is weakened up front with the loss of Vuc and got by a rather weaker frontcourt in the Clippers.

They will have to find a way to either limit Anthony Davis scoring each time he touches the ball or counter his productivity up front. DeRozan comes off a 30-point night against the other LA team and will see a lot of switching from the Lakers. We see offensive explosions from the two usual suspects on the Bulls, yet they are still only 19th in the league in scoring. Don’t expect that firepower to be enough for Chicago to hold off a surging Lakers squad.

Not having James hasn’t been an issue as of late, the team looked impressive once again in their latest win over the Spurs. It’s been the AD show as Davis took over all major responsibilities in James’ absence. Russell Westbrook is such a volatile piece of the offense – but finds ways to impact the game no matter how many points he scores. Unlike Chicago, the Lakers are scoring points and it’s not just their top two guys doing it.

Chicago should get a nice boost with Coby White making his season debut. White played well off the bench the last two seasons – and can help add some much-needed scoring off the bench. The Bulls still make their money on defense, as they have become one of the toughest teams to score against on a nightly basis. They may not have the bodies up front to slow downAnthony Davis. This means the Bulls will most likely fall into a shootout – which is one of the worst scenarios for a win.

The Lakers also got a boost with the return of Talen Horton-Tucker who made his season debut Monday night against the Spurs. Coming back from a thumb injury, THT was effective with 17 points. Carmelo Anthony is also playing big starter minutes – picking up some scoring slack with James still sidelined.

The Lakers aren’t huge up front by any means and Dwight Howard’s minutes aren’t strong, but Davis wears teams down as we’ve seen in four Lakers wins without LeBron. The Lakers have won three of four and in those three wins Davis played at least 40 minutes – hardly a coincidence.

Chicago Bulls vs. Los Angeles Lakers Betting Odds

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Chicago Bulls vs. Los Angeles Lakers Betting Resources

• Matchup: Central vs. Pacific
• Date: Monday, November 15, 2021
• Venue: STAPLES Center
• Location: Los Angeles, California
• TV-Time: NBATV - 10:30 p.m. ET

• Weather Report
• Injury Report

Chicago Bulls Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 9-4
• ATS: 9-4
• O/U: 5-8

The Bulls may be in the bottom half of league scoring, but nearly half of their points come from DeRozan and LaVine. DeRozan is on a tear this year – averaging 26 PPG, 5.5 RPG, and 4 APG. He’s shooting 49 percent, along with LaVine who is at 25.9 PPG, 5.7 RPG and 3.7 APG.

Chicago is down their third-leading scorer in Vuc – averaging a double-double with 13.6 PPG and 10.9 PG, adding 4.3 APG which is tied for the team lead with Lonzo Ball. The only other Bulls player to hit double figures in points is Ball at 11.8, he’s adding a healthy 5.2 RPG and 4.3 APG.

Los Angeles Lakers Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 8-6
• ATS: 5-9
• O/U: 8-6

LeBron normally leads the team in scoring with 24.8 PPG, but his productivity is far greater adding 5.5 RPG and 7 APG. AD averages a tick less at 24.5 PPG adding 11.3 RPG on 50 percent shooting. Westbrook rounds out the trio at 19 PPG but is also second on the team in rebounding (8.9 RPG) and leading the team in assists with 8.4 each night.

Anthony has been sharp filling in minutes for James – as Melo averages 16 points on 47 percent shooting. Horton- Tucker’s debut saw 17 points as he’s expected to start Monday night.

Anthony Davis has scored 30 points or more in three straight home games when facing the Bulls. (AP)

Chicago Bulls vs. Los Angeles Lakers Head-to-Head

The first matchup between these two teams will be Monday night in Los Angeles. Both teams come into this game winners of three of their last four – including wins on Sunday.

Key Players to Watch

• CHI: DeMar DeRozan - SF (26.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 4 apg)
• CHI: Zach LaVine - SG (25.9 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 3.7 apg)
• LAL: Anthony Davis - PF (24.5 ppg, 11.3 rpg)
• LAL: Russell Westbrook - PG (19 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 8.4 apg)

Chicago Bulls vs. Los Angeles Lakers Betting Conclusion

The record ATS would indicate the Bulls are going to cover a tight one – which would mean an outright victory. The good news is the venue doesn’t change, but they come off a back-to-back on the road, which is different than being at home.

The one number that jumps out is the O being 8-6 for the Lakers – who score points even without James on the floor. One of the league’s best offenses in the Lakers take on one of the league’s best defenses in the Bulls. Go with the home team dictating flow of the game and scoring a lot of points.

Chicago Bulls vs. Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends

• Chicago has gone UNDER the point total in six of its last eight road games.
• Chicago has covered the spread in five of its last six games when playing the second game of a back-to-back.
• Chicago has won four of its last five games when facing the Western Conference.

VegasInsider Staff

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