Los Angeles Lakers vs Chicago Bulls Picks and Predictions March 22nd 2025

Los Angeles Lakers vs Chicago Bulls March 22nd 2025

At 10:30 ET, the Lakers (-473) will host the Bulls (+362) in a non-conference matchup. The over/under line for this game is 233.5.

Chicago is 9th in the Eastern Conference and 5th in the Central Division with a record of 30-40. Meanwhile, the Lakers are 3rd in the Western Conference and 1st in the Pacific Division with a record of 43-26.

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Bulls vs. Lakers Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Chicago Bulls at Los Angeles Lakers
• Where: Los Angeles at Crypto.com Arena
• Date: Saturday, March 22nd
• Betting Odds LAL -10, CHI +362 | LAL -473 O/U 233.5

The Bulls Can Win If…

Chicago improved to 30-40 on the season with a 128-116 road win over the Kings on Thursday. The Bulls, who were +7.5 point underdogs, not only pulled off the upset but also covered the spread. The total points for the game were 244, surpassing the O/U line of 236.5.

After trailing 39-28 at the end of the 1st quarter, the Bulls turned things around by winning the 2nd quarter 27-25. They went on an 11-0 run to stretch the score from 80-78 to 91-78, and finished strong by outscoring the Kings 36-27 in the 4th quarter.

The Bulls shot 52.3% from the field and hit 15 threes at a 42.9% clip in their win over the Kings on Thursday. Coby White led the way with 35 points, including 15 in the 3rd quarter and 16 in the 4th.

Kevin Huerter added 25 points, with 11 coming in the final period, and Nikola Vučević contributed 24 points and 14 rebounds, hitting 4 threes at 80% efficiency.

Despite a rough start, giving up 39 points in the 1st quarter, the Bulls tightened up defensively, allowing just 25 points in both the 2nd and 3rd quarters, and 27 in the 4th, to secure the win over the Kings. Chicago allowed Sacramento to shoot 47% from the field.

From beyond the arc, the Bulls held the Kings to 15 made threes on 38% shooting. Chicago sent Sacramento to the line 23 times, with the Kings converting 19 free throws. The Bulls finished with 28 defensive rebounds, gave up 9 offensive boards, and recorded 9 steals.

• Across their ten previous road games, Chicago has an ATS mark of 7-3. Their straight up record in these matchups was 5-5 while averaging 118 points per game.
• As the betting underdog, the Bulls have an ATS record of 4-1 in their last five games. In these matchups their, straight up record was 3-2.
• Over their last three games, the Bulls have an over/under record of 2-1 and are 2-1 vs. the spread.

The Lakers Can Win If…

The Lakers fell to 43-26 on the season after a 118-89 loss to the Bucks on Thursday. Playing at home, Los Angeles entered the game as +8.5 point underdogs but failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game were 207, falling short of the 217-point over/under line.

Milwaukee took control early with a 16-0 run, stretching the score from 17-14 to 30-17. The Lakers won the 2nd quarter 27-23 but couldn’t sustain the momentum, as the Bucks outscored them 34-23 in the 3rd quarter and 27-20 in the 4th.

The Lakers struggled offensively in their 118-89 loss to the Bucks, shooting just 41.5% from the field. Their three-point shooting was below average, hitting 11 threes at a 34.4% clip.

Dalton Knecht and Bronny James each scored 17 points, with Knecht adding 11 in the 4th quarter. James shot 70% from the field, while Alex Len contributed 10 points and 9 rebounds.

The Lakers struggled defensively in the 1st and 3rd quarters, giving up 34 points in each, as they allowed 118 points in a loss to the Bucks. However, they did manage to limit Milwaukee’s damage from beyond the arc, holding them to 11 made threes on 31% shooting.

Los Angeles sent the Bucks to the free-throw line 34 times, where they converted 27 attempts. The Lakers finished with 36 defensive rebounds, while giving up 10 offensive boards, and recorded 5 steals and 4 blocks.

• Through their last five home games, Los Angeles has an ATS record of just 2-3. However, their overall record was 1-4 while averaging 112 points per game.
• The Lakers have played well in their last five games as the betting favorite, going 4-1 straight up and 4-1 against the spread.
• In their last three games, the Lakers have an over/under record of 2-1 and are 2-1 vs. the spread.

The Lean

The Lakers is our pick to not only win with a projected score of 137-113. But we also favor them to cover the spread. Our bet is on the Lakers at -10.

As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 233.5, and our model projects the Bulls and Lakers to reach a combined total of 250 points. Our bet is on taking the over.

Lakers Eye Reinforcements vs. Bulls Amid Injury Woes

The Los Angeles Lakers could see key players return to action Saturday night when they host a resurgent Chicago Bulls team looking to strengthen its playoff position.

Lakers Hope to Get Healthy at Home

The Lakers (43-26) have lost five of their past eight games since LeBron James suffered a groin injury on March 8. Without James and several other key contributors, the team has struggled to maintain consistency during a grueling stretch of the schedule.

Thursday’s 118-89 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks was one of the team’s roughest outings this season, as they played without James, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura. Rookie Bronny James was a bright spot, scoring a career-high 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting. Dalton Knecht also had 17, and Alex Len added 10 off the bench — the only other Laker to reach double figures.

Head coach JJ Redick confirmed Friday that Reaves and Doncic are probable for Saturday, while James and Hachimura remain day-to-day. Redick said that while the team expected a rough post-All-Star stretch, the combination of injuries and a brutal schedule has tested their depth and resilience.

James is ramping up his on-court work and could return as soon as Saturday. The 40-year-old star is averaging 25.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.9 rebounds per game this season.

Bulls Surging Into West Coast Swing

The Bulls (30-40) have won six of their past eight and are firmly in the Eastern Conference play-in mix. On Thursday, Chicago earned an impressive 128-116 win over the Sacramento Kings behind 35 points from Coby White and 25 from Kevin Huerter in his return to Sacramento.

Huerter was part of the three-team trade that sent DeAaron Fox to San Antonio and Zach LaVine to the Kings. In his return to Golden 1 Center, Huerter hit timely shots to help seal the win — a performance that earned praise from head coach Billy Donovan.

White, now the Bulls’ top scorer, is averaging a career-best 19.8 points per game. Nikola Vucevic continues to anchor the frontcourt, contributing 18.7 points and 10.1 rebounds per contest.

Chicago’s late-season momentum has been fueled by improved ball movement and defensive energy. Tre Jones has fit in well since arriving via the LaVine trade, and DeMar DeRozan continues to provide veteran leadership.

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Playoff Positioning in Focus

Both teams are fighting for seeding in their respective conferences. The Lakers are trying to hold off a tightly packed Western Conference field, while the Bulls are hoping to avoid the 10th spot in the East and secure at least one home game in the play-in round.

Los Angeles will be looking to avenge a 124-108 loss to Chicago back on Jan. 25 and reclaim control after dropping four of their last six matchups against the Bulls.

For betting predictions, player props, and NBA insights on this matchup, visit our NBA Picks Today page.