New Orleans Pelicans vs Chicago Bulls Picks and Predictions October 23rd 2024

Pelicans vs Bulls October 23rd 2024

At 8:00 ET, the Bulls (+218) will take on the Pelicans (-266) in a non-conference matchup. The over/under line is currently sitting at 227.5 points.

Last year, the Bulls finished 9th in the Eastern Conference with a record of 39-43, while the Pelicans finished 8th in the Western Conference with a record of 49-33.

Bulls vs. Pelicans Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Chicago Bulls at New Orleans Pelicans
• Where: New Orleans at Smoothie King Center
• Date: Wednesday, October 23rd
• Betting Odds NO -6.5, CHI +218 | NO -266 O/U 227.5

The Bulls Can Win If…

Chicago finished last season 39-43, placing 9th in the Eastern Conference. They went 22-29 in conference play and 7-9 in divisional games, finishing 4th in the Central Division. Heading into this season, we have the Bulls ranked 19th in our power rankings, with a 52.3% chance of making the playoffs and a 4.4% chance of winning their division.

At home, Chicago posted a 20-21 record with a -0.1 points per game scoring margin. Against the spread, they went 18-23 at home. On the road, they were 19-22 straight-up and 16-24 ATS. As underdogs, they had a 19-30 record. The average over/under line for their games was 221.8 points, and they had an O/U record of 44-37-1, with their games averaging 226 points per contest.

Chicago enters the season ranked 17th in our offensive power rankings after finishing last season 22nd in points per game (112.3) and possessions per game (97.0). They were 13th in field goal attempts per game (89.5) and 17th in field goal percentage (47.0%). The Bulls were 26th in three-pointers attempted per game (32.1) and 27th in made threes per game (11.5), shooting 35.8% from beyond the arc, which ranked 20th. They were 10th in free throw percentage (79.1%) and 8th in offensive rebounds per game (11.2).

Zach LaVine is projected to lead the Bulls in scoring, ranking 28th in our league-wide projections. Coby White, who averaged 19.1 points per game last season, is projected to be 2nd on the team and 42nd in the league. White is also projected to lead the team in made threes, ranking 13th in the league. Nikola Vucevic, who averaged 18 points and 10.5 rebounds last season, is projected to be 3rd on the team in scoring, while new addition Josh Giddey is projected to be 4th.

Last season, the Bulls ranked 20th in our defensive power rankings, allowing 113.7 points per game, which was 16th in the NBA. They were 18th in three-point defense, allowing 36.9%, and ranked 19th in defensive rebounding. Nikola Vucevic is projected to lead the team in blocks, with Josh Giddey and Vucevic contributing on the boards. Chicago averaged 7.8 steals per game, ranking 9th in the league.

Opponents shot 47.3% from the field against the Bulls last season, placing them 16th in field-goal percentage allowed. They were 22nd in effective field-goal percentage defense and ranked 21st in two-point shooting percentage allowed.

• Through their last ten road games, Chicago has an ATS record of just 5-5. However, their overall record was 4-6 while averaging 113 points per game.
• Looking back on the team’s last three games as the underdog, the Bulls have a straight up record of 1-2. Their record vs the spread in these games was 2-1.
• Over their last three games, the Bulls have an over/under record of 2-1 and are 2-1 vs. the spread.

The Pelicans Can Win If…

New Orleans enters the season ranked 18th in our power rankings, with a 46.4% chance of making the playoffs. Last season, the Pelicans finished 49-33, placing 8th in the Western Conference. They went 30-22 against conference opponents and were 9-7 in divisional games, finishing 2nd in the Southwest Division.

The Pelicans were 21-19 at home and 28-14 on the road last season. They were 41-40 against the spread and had a 37-45 over/under record, with their games averaging 225.7 points. When favored, they went 31-19, and they were 18-14 as the underdog.

The Pelicans enter the season ranked 19th in our offensive power rankings. Last year, they were 13th in points per game (115.1) and 19th in possessions per game (97.3). They were 9th in field goal percentage (48.6%) but 23rd in attempts per game (87.4). From beyond the arc, they made 12.5 threes per game (18th) on 32.6 attempts (24th), ranking 4th in three-point percentage (38.3%). They also averaged 22.8 free throw attempts per game (9th) but were 21st in free throw percentage (77.1%).

New Orleans added Dejounte Murray, who averaged 22.5 points, 6.4 assists, and 5.3 rebounds last season. Zion Williamson, who played 70 games last year, is projected to lead the team in scoring, ranking 26th in our league-wide projections. Murray is projected 41st, while Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum are 44th and 53rd, respectively. McCollum is projected to lead the team in three-pointers made, ranking 10th in the league.

Last season, the Pelicans ranked 2nd in the NBA in points allowed, giving up just 107.3 per game. They also held opponents to a league-low 44.9% shooting and were the best team at defending the three, allowing just 32.8%. Heading into this season, New Orleans is ranked 16th in our defensive power rankings.

On the boards, the Pelicans finished 10th in defensive rebounding. Zion Williamson and Dejounte Murray, two of their top rebounders, are questionable, while Brandon Ingram adds support. New Orleans also ranked 3rd in steals, averaging 8.3 per game, but were 22nd in blocked shots, with 4.6 per contest.

• Across their ten previous home games, New Orleans has an ATS mark of 6-4. Their straight up record in these matchups was 7-3 while averaging 109 points per game.
• Looking back on the team’s last ten games as the favorite, the Pelicans have a straight up record of 4-6. Their record vs the spread in these games was 2-8.
• In their last three games, the Pelicans have an over/under record of 0-3 and are 1-2 vs. the spread.

The Lean

The Pelicans is our pick to not only win with a projected score of 156-144. But we also favor them to cover the spread. Our bet is on the Pelicans at -6.5.

Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 227.5, and our model predicts the Bulls and Pelicans to score a combined 300 points. We recommend betting on the over.

NBA Picks & Previews

Pelicans Look to Improve on First-Round Sweep, Open vs. Bulls

The 2024 NBA season is about to tip off, and both the New Orleans Pelicans and Chicago Bulls are eager to make a statement. With trade rumors swirling around star players, roster changes, and new strategies in place, both teams are determined to move beyond their mid-tier conference standings. As the Pelicans host the Bulls in the season opener, all eyes will be on how these revamped squads perform.

Trade Rumors Surrounding Brandon Ingram and Zach LaVine

This offseason, both the Pelicans and the Bulls entertained the idea of trading their star players. New Orleans considered moving forward Brandon Ingram, while Chicago was open to parting ways with Zach LaVine. However, neither team found a trade offer enticing enough to make a deal. As a result, Ingram remains with the Pelicans, and LaVine stays a Bull—at least for now.

This unresolved situation adds a layer of intrigue as both players could still be moved later in the season. Their performance on the court, coupled with their teams’ success or failure, could play a critical role in determining their futures. While both players are professionals, there’s no doubt that these trade discussions will hover over them as the season progresses.

Offseason Moves: Pelicans Add Dejounte Murray, Bulls Go Younger

Both teams made significant moves in the offseason, aiming to address weaknesses and build for long-term success.

Pelicans’ Key Additions

The Pelicans acquired Dejounte Murray from the Atlanta Hawks in a trade that sent four players to Atlanta, none of whom were starters. Murray, a former All-Star, brings dynamic playmaking and defensive skills to the Pelicans’ backcourt, forming an exciting trio with Ingram and Zion Williamson.

However, New Orleans faces challenges in the frontcourt. They traded center Jonas Valanciunas to Washington, leaving a hole at the center position. The team will rely on a rotation of Daniel Theis, European rookie Karlo Matkovic, and first-round pick Yves Missi to fill the gap. Head coach Willie Green has hinted at the possibility of playing without a traditional center at times, embracing a more flexible, modern style of basketball.

Bulls’ Rebuild with Youth

The Bulls made a major shift in their roster by trading their leading scorer, DeMar DeRozan, to the Sacramento Kings as part of a three-team trade. In return, Chicago acquired young guard Chris Duarte, signaling a move toward a faster and more youthful team. Additionally, the Bulls traded defensive specialist Alex Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for talented playmaker Josh Giddey.

This infusion of young talent points to a strategic shift for head coach Billy Donovan, who has emphasized the need for speed and energy. Donovan plans to expand his rotation to 10 players, a departure from his usual nine-man rotation, to keep up with the faster tempo he envisions for the team.

Pelicans’ Playoff Hopes: Building on Last Season’s 49 Wins

The Pelicans are coming off a 49-win season in which they barely missed the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference, losing a tiebreaker to the Phoenix Suns. They advanced out of the play-in tournament but were swept in the first round by the Oklahoma City Thunder. Zion Williamson missed the entire series due to injury, and Brandon Ingram was hampered by physical issues, limiting the team’s potential.

This season, the Pelicans are focused on staying healthy and improving their consistency. Head coach Willie Green has outlined a blueprint for success based on discipline, energy, and joy on the court. “We’re working toward being a team that competes at a high level every night, bringing energy and effort, a team that’s disciplined, and one that plays with joy,” Green said. His message reflects the team’s desire to build a winning culture that can overcome adversity.

New Orleans has been knocking on the door of a deep playoff run, and the margin for error is razor-thin. In each of the last two seasons, teams that finished just one game ahead of the Pelicans—Dallas in 2023 and the Lakers in 2022—advanced to at least the Western Conference Finals. Green and his squad understand that small details can make or break their season. “We talk every year about how important it is to tie up loose ends because it can make or break a season,” Green emphasized. “Sometimes it comes down to that one game.”

Bulls’ Fresh Start After Missing the Playoffs

The Bulls are looking to rebound from a disappointing 2023 season, in which they finished 39-43 and failed to advance past the play-in tournament. The offseason moves—trading DeRozan and Caruso for younger, faster players—are part of a clear effort to revitalize the team. Zach LaVine remains the face of the franchise, but with an overhauled supporting cast, the Bulls are set to play at a faster pace.

Billy Donovan’s shift in strategy is evident. “As fast as we’re trying to play, we’re going to need to have a rotation of about 10 players,” Donovan told 670 The Score. This approach is designed to maximize the new roster’s athleticism and stamina, making the Bulls a more dynamic and unpredictable team.

Despite the roster changes, LaVine’s future with the Bulls remains in question. Trade rumors have followed him all offseason, and his long-term role with the team is still uncertain. However, LaVine is focused on maintaining a positive outlook. “Everything isn’t going to be perfect,” LaVine said in an interview with The Athletic. “I’m in a good mindset. I think I’ll be fine playing through the waves and staying level-headed.”

Season Opener: A Preview of What’s to Come

When the Pelicans and Bulls face off in the season opener, it will be a litmus test for both teams. New Orleans, eager to prove it can make a deeper playoff run, will showcase its new-look lineup with Murray, Ingram, and Williamson. Meanwhile, Chicago will reveal how well its youthful roster can adapt to a faster tempo and new playing style.

Both teams enter the season with significant questions: Can the Pelicans stay healthy and solidify their center rotation? Will the Bulls’ youthful, up-tempo approach be enough to break through in the Eastern Conference? And most importantly, will Ingram and LaVine finish the season with their current teams, or will they be dealt as part of their franchises’ long-term plans?

Conclusion: A Season of High Stakes

The 2024 season is pivotal for both the Pelicans and Bulls. Each team is navigating its own set of challenges and opportunities, with both eager to break out of the middle tier of their conferences. For New Orleans, the goal is clear: stay healthy and build on the progress made last season. For Chicago, the youth movement represents a fresh start, but with LaVine at the center of trade rumors, stability remains elusive.

The journey begins in New Orleans, where the Pelicans and Bulls will lay the foundation for what could be a transformative season.

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