Denver Nuggets vs. Chicago Bulls Predictions, Odds, Picks

Dec. 6, 2021
Michael Crosson
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

Regular-season NBA action will resume on Monday night with a non-conference bout between the Denver Nuggets and Chicago Bulls. Coverage begins from the United Center at 8:10 E.T.

Score Prediction

Bulls 109, Nuggets 102

Best Bets

Bulls -4 (-110) at WynnBet

Denver Nuggets vs. Chicago Bulls Predictions

After finishing third in the West with a record of 47-25 last year, Denver kicked things off on an encouraging note to start the new season, as the Nuggets opened with wins in nine of their first 13 games – which included impressive upset victories over the Suns (-6), Jazz (-7), Grizzlies (-1), and Heat (-2).

The Nuggets have struggled since mid-November though, considering Denver enters Monday’s contest following losses in seven of the last nine games – with five of those defeats coming by a double-digit margin.

On the other hand, Chicago also stormed out to a strong start to the new season, as the Bulls kicked things off with wins in five of their first six games – which included impressive upset victories over the Jazz (-3) and Celtics (-3).

Chicago cooled off a little bit in November though, considering the Bulls are just 11-7 across their latest 16-game window – which isn’t all that bad, considering they were favored in only ten of those matchups.

I’ll lay the points with Chicago here, as the Nuggets have averaged just 104.4 PPG across their latest nine-game stretch – which typically isn’t nearly enough to compete with a Bulls’ squad that ranks 10th in scoring and 6th in effective field-goal percentage (109.6 PPG, 53.3% EFG).

Denver Nuggets vs. Chicago Bulls Betting Odds

More Odds | Futures Odds

Odds Provided by WynnBet - Subject to Change

  • Nuggets +160
  • Bulls -180
  • Nuggets +4 (-110)
  • Bulls -4 (-110)
  • OU 214 (-110)

Denver Nuggets vs. Chicago Bulls Betting Resources

  • Matchup: Northwest vs. Central
  • Date: Monday, December 6, 2021
  • Venue: United Center
  • Location: Chicago, Illinois
  • TV-Time: NBA League Pass - 8:00 p.m. ET

Denver Nuggets Betting Analysis

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

  • SU: 11-11
  • ATS: 9-13
  • O/U: 11-11

Following Jamal Murray’s devastating knee injury last year, any expectations regarding the Nuggets quickly vanished, as despite finishing third in the conference, Denver (-120) ventured into the first round of the playoffs as narrow favorites over the sixth-seeded Blazers (+100).

The Nuggets still prevailed through that series without Murray, but clearly, we shouldn’t expect that same level of success when other crucial pieces, like Michael Porter Jr., are also absent, considering Denver enters Monday’s contest following losses in seven-of-nine games – with five of those defeats coming by a double-digit margin.

Chicago Bulls Betting Analysis

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

  • SU: 16-8
  • ATS: 16-8
  • O/U: 11-13

After finishing 11th in the East with a record of 31-41 last year, Chicago went out and made some aggressive offseason acquisitions – resulting in a fully rejuvenated Bulls squad, as Zach Lavine now finds himself partnered up with a stout supporting cast that includes Lonzo Ball, DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic, Alex Caruso and a few other solid counterparts.

Clearly, the Bulls’ new roster construction still has flaws – but they’re definitely on the right track, considering Chicago currently ranks second in the East with a record of 16-8, trailing the Nets by just half-a-game.


The Nuggets have won two of three on their road trip as they head to Chicago on Monday. (AP)

Denver Nuggets vs. Chicago Bulls Head-to-Head

The most recent matchup between these teams took place just a few weeks ago – which resulted in a six-point road victory for the Bulls, as Zach Lavine and DeMar DeRozan teamed up for 62 PTS on 47% from the floor to secure a win for Chicago back on November 19th.

Key Players to Watch

  • DEN: Nikola Jokic - C (26.1 PPG, 13.6 REB, 6.4 AST)
  • DEN: Aaron Gordon - PF (13.6 PPG, 6 REB, 2.3 AST)
  • CHI: Zach Lavine - SG (25.6 PPG, 5.4 REB, 3.9 AST)
  • CHI: DeMar DeRozan - SF (26.4 PTS, 5.3 REB, 4.1 AST)

Denver Nuggets vs. Chicago Bulls Betting Conclusion

After extending their winning streak to three games with an upset victory over Brooklyn on Saturday night, the Bulls will travel back home as a four-point favorite over the visiting Nuggets – marking the seventh time Denver has been an underdog across the last eight games.

I’ll lay the points with Chicago here, as these teams just seem to be trending in totally opposite directions, with the Bulls winning four of their last five games in relatively impressive fashion – and the Nuggets losing seven of their last nine, with the injuries continuing to pile up.

Denver Nuggets vs. Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

  • The Nuggets are 2-7 ATS across their last nine games.
  • The total has gone OVER in four of the last six Bulls' games.
  • The total has gone OVER in seven straight Nuggets' games.
  • The Bulls are 4-1 ATS across their last five games.