Chicago Bulls vs Brooklyn Nets Picks and Predictions December 2nd 2024

Chicago Bulls vs Brooklyn Nets December 2nd 2024

At 8:00 ET, the Bulls (-262) will host the Nets (+216) in a game with an over/under line of 234. The Bulls are favored by 6.5 points and will be looking to snap a two-game losing streak. The Nets are also on a two-game losing streak and are 9th in the Eastern Conference.

This Eastern Conference matchup will be played at the United Center in Chicago. The Nets are 3rd in the Atlantic Division and have a record of 9-12. The Bulls are 11th in the Eastern Conference and are 8-13 overall. YES will broadcast the game.

Nets vs. Bulls Key Information

Brooklyn fell to 9-12 on the season after a 100-92 home loss to the Magic on Sunday. The Nets entered the game as +6.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game were 192, well under the 206.5 O/U line.

Brooklyn led 29-26 after the 1st quarter but were outscored in each of the remaining quarters. The Magic edged them 24-21 in the 2nd quarter and 25-19 in the 3rd, leaving the Nets trailing 75-69 going into the 4th. Orlando closed out the game by outscoring Brooklyn 25-23 in the final period.

In their 100-92 loss to the Magic, the Nets struggled offensively, shooting just 38% from the field and hitting only 8 threes at a 25.8% clip. Cameron Johnson led the way with 26 points, shooting 52.9% overall and 40% from deep.

Win Big with Proven NBA Strategies! Discover today’s best NBA Betting Tips.

Dennis Schröder added 20 points, with 11 coming in the 4th quarter. Trendon Watford contributed 13 points, scoring 7 in the opening period, while Keon Johnson chipped in 12 points, with 6 in both the 1st and 3rd quarters.

Despite a strong defensive effort, the Nets couldn’t come away with the win, allowing 100 points to the Magic on Sunday. Brooklyn gave up 26 points in the 1st quarter but tightened up after that, allowing 24 in the 2nd and 25 in both the 3rd and 4th quarters.

The Nets did a great job defending the three, holding the Magic to just 7 made threes on 25% shooting. Brooklyn also recorded 10 steals and 3 blocks in the game.

The Bulls fell to 8-13 on the season after a 138-129 loss to the Celtics on Friday. Chicago, who were +11.5 point underdogs, managed to keep the game closer than expected. The total score of 267 points exceeded the pre-game O/U line of 244.5 by 22.5 points.

After a 10-0 run in the 2nd quarter, the Bulls tied the game at 96-96 heading into the 4th. However, Boston pulled away in the final quarter, outscoring Chicago 42-33 to seal the win.

Nikola Vucevic knocked down 6 threes at a 66.7% rate, leading the Bulls with 32 points and 11 rebounds in their loss to the Celtics. Zach LaVine added 29 points, including 13 in the 4th quarter, while Talen Horton-Tucker contributed 16 points, hitting all 4 of his three-point attempts.

As a team, the Bulls connected on 20 threes, shooting 39.2% from deep and 51.6% overall from the field. Vucevic scored 14 points in the 2nd quarter, while LaVine’s 13-point 4th quarter helped the Bulls finish with 129 points in the game.

Defensively, the Bulls struggled in the 1st and 4th quarters, allowing 39 and 42 points, respectively, in their 138-129 loss to the Celtics. Chicago gave up 23 three-pointers, with Boston shooting 42% from beyond the arc.

The Celtics also shot 50% from the field, and the Bulls sent them to the line 23 times, where they made 17 free throws. Chicago finished with 38 defensive rebounds, allowed 11 offensive boards, and recorded 7 steals and 2 blocks.

For today’s matchup we are recommending to take the Bulls to secure the win, with an expected final score of 130-77. When it comes to the spread, we believe they’ll cover at -6.5.

Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 234, and our model predicts the Nets and Bulls to score a combined 207 points. We recommend betting on the under.

Bulls, Nets Look to Break Losing Streaks in Chicago Showdown

Both the Brooklyn Nets and Chicago Bulls are on a mission to stop their current two-game skids as they meet for the second time this season on Monday in Chicago.

Brooklyn’s Struggles Continue

The Nets (7-9) are hoping to bounce back after dropping two consecutive home games to the Orlando Magic. Brooklyn lost 123-100 on Friday and 100-92 on Sunday, extending their losing streak to two games. Prior to these defeats, the Nets had won three straight on the West Coast, but the recent slide has left them three games below .500.

In the loss to Orlando on Friday, Brooklyn’s offense struggled, especially the starting five. Cameron Johnson (14 points) and Jalen Wilson (11 points) were the only two starters to score in double figures. Shake Milton contributed 22 points off the bench, while Trendon Watford (13 points) and Keon Johnson (15 points) helped the second unit. However, the starters’ lack of production hurt the team’s chances.

Sunday’s loss showed slight improvement, especially with Dennis Schroder back in the lineup. He scored 20 points, while Johnson poured in 26. Even with the stronger performance from the starters, the Nets lost by eight points, showing there’s still work to be done for Brooklyn.

“He’s very important,” said Wilson of Schroder’s return. “He’s the head of the snake… Whether he’s getting downhill finding us or creating his own shot, he does a lot for our team.”

Bulls Face Similar Issues

The Bulls (6-9) are also trying to break their losing streak after a 138-129 home loss to the defending champion Boston Celtics on Friday. Chicago hung tough for most of the game, but a collapse in the fourth quarter led to a defeat. Nikola Vucevic posted a strong performance with 32 points and 11 rebounds, while Zach LaVine added 29 points, but the Celtics’ Jayson Tatum (35 points) and Payton Pritchard (29 points) came up big, especially in the fourth quarter.

Get the Best NBA Picks for Today’s Games! Dive into our NBA picks today and make informed bets.

Chicago’s previous loss came against Orlando (133-119) on Wednesday, with the Magic extending their winning streak to six games. Despite a strong 20-point effort from Talen Horton-Tucker off the bench, the Bulls’ defense was a major issue in the loss. Head coach Billy Donovan emphasized the need for better communication, especially on defensive rotations and during screens.

“We’ve got to be a better-talking team,” Donovan said. “It’s hard to play defense if you’re not gonna talk… We’ve got to do a better job there.”

Looking Ahead to the Chicago Matchup

Both teams are desperate for a win to turn their fortunes around. In their previous meeting on Nov. 1, Brooklyn earned a 120-112 victory, led by 32 points from Cam Thomas. Vucevic recorded a double-double with 28 points and 11 rebounds in a losing effort for Chicago.

For the Bulls, improving their defensive communication will be key to avoiding a third straight loss, while the Nets will look to get more consistent contributions from their starters, especially with Schroder’s return.

With both teams struggling and eager to rebound, Monday’s game in Chicago is set to be a crucial contest for both sides.