Hornets-Bulls Line at Chicago -10.5
The Hornets-Bulls line was listed at Chicago -10.5 with a total of 179.5 at Sportsbook.com.
The Bulls look to win their ninth straight at home against a Hornets team who will be without their star point guard Chris Paul.
Many Hornets fans held their breath Sunday night as their outstanding leader Chris Paul, was taken off on a stretcher. Paul (15.9 PPG 9.6 APG) collided with Ramon Sessions while going for a loose ball but luckily was able to move his arms and feet while heading to the hospital. Paul is diagnosed with a concussion and rejoined the team on their flight to Chicago, but will be unable to play. The Hornets also may be without their versatile swingman Trevor Ariza, who could miss his third straight game with a groin injury. New Orleans is currently sticking to the sixth playoff spot in the Western Conference, even after losing 12 out of 16 from Jan. 29 to Mar. 4. New Orleans has won two straight and most recently took care of the dreadful Cavaliers on Sunday 96-81. David West (18.8 PPG) was back healthy after tweaking his ankle and scored 23 points on 8-for-13 shooting. West has been subpar in the past against the Bulls, averaging 10.6 PPG, and must play better, especially with the Hornets likely without Paul and Ariza.
The Bulls come into Monday’s game high on life after beating the Heat 87-86 on Sunday. Chicago swept the season series with Miami and went 4-1 SU & ATS on its recent five-game road trip. During the road trip, Chicago played tenacious defense allowing 80.4 PPG. The Bulls, who are now second in the Eastern Conference standings, have won 16 out of 17 at the United Center and are second in the NBA in scoring defense, allowing only 91.8 PPG. Derrick Rose (26.4 PPG) pumped in 27 points in the win versus the Heat and may have another big game with the absence of Chris Paul. Luol Deng (17.7 PPG) also added 18 points Sunday and made some key free throws down the stretch.
Both teams have been good against the opposite conference with New Orleans being 15-10 ATS versus the East and Chicago being 17-7 ATS against the West. The Bulls have won the past five meetings with the Hornets both SU and ATS. New Orleans is 5-13 ATS in its past 18 games and is only 16-19 SU (17-16 ATS) in road games. The Bulls on the other hand are 26-4 SU (19-10 ATS) at home and 16-7 ATS against teams with a winning record.
