Bulls vs. Warriors Betting Line – Golden State Looks to go 14-0
Carrie Stroup here with your Bulls vs. Warriors betting line for Friday night as Golden State attempts to stay undefeated.
CHICAGO BULLS (8-3) at GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (13-0)
Sportsbook.ag Line: Golden State -8, Total: 210
The undefeated Warriors try to run their record to 14-0 when they host the red-hot Bulls on Friday night.
Chicago (4-7 ATS) is riding a four-game winning streak, including a 103-97 defeat of Phoenix on Wednesday to open its four-game road trip. Golden State (8-5 ATS) hasn't lost yet this season, but each of the past three victories (1-2 ATS) has been close, with an 8-point win over the Nets, a 5-point victory versus Toronto and a 7-point comeback win at the Clippers on Thursday night.
Although the Warriors are an unbelievable 46-2 SU at home in the past two seasons, one of those defeats was to the Bulls, 113-111 on Jan. 27. However, Golden State is still 12-6 SU (11-6-1 ATS) at home in this series since 1996 and also won at Chicago last December by a 112-102 score.
In terms of betting trends, the Bulls fall into the category of NBA road underdogs of 3.5 to 9.5 points averaging 7.0 or less SPG going 101-53 ATS (66%) over the past five seasons, and their Friday opponent is 1-10 ATS after a combined score of 215+ points in two straight games in the past two seasons. But the Warriors are 39-23 ATS versus winning teams since the start of 2014-15, and are 30-16 ATS when favored by 3.5 to 9.5 points in this same span.
Both teams could have turnover problems as three point guards are all doubtful to play -- Derrick Rose (ankle) and Aaron Brooks (hamstring) for Chicago and Shaun Livingston (hip) for Golden State.
Chicago's offense has been average under new head coach Fred Hoiberg with 101.1 PPG (17th in NBA) on 43.5% FG (18th in league), but has knocked down an impressive 38.1% threes (4th in NBA), which leads the Eastern Conference. For some reason, the Bulls have scored more away from United Center with huge offensive road numbers of 105.6 PPG, 46.9% FG and 43.5% threes.
SG Jimmy Butler (20.4 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.8 SPG) is the team's top scorer and has caught fire in the past three games with 25.3 PPG on 49% FG. With PG Derrick Rose (13.6 PPG, 6.0 APG) not likely to play, Butler should take at least 25 shots on Friday. Rose has struggled shooting all season with subpar percentages of 38% FG and 15% threes, which are well below his career averages of 45% FG and 30% threes.
C Pau Gasol (13.8 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 2.1 BPG) has been consistently strong all year and delivered a typical 17 points and eight rebounds in Wednesday's win. PF Nikola Mirotic (11.4 PPG, 6.1 RPG) and SF Doug McDermott (10.5 PPG) round out the double-digit scorers for Chicago. McDermott has been on fire all season at 54% threes, which is better than his 51% FG clip from inside the arc.
Defensively, the Bulls allow just 98.8 PPG (10th in NBA) on a league-best 40.8% FG for the season, and those numbers have improved greatly in the past five games to 95.8 PPG allowed on 38.8% FG. But they haven't faced anybody that can hold a candle to the explosive Warriors.
Golden State is scoring an NBA-best 114.9 PPG on league-high shooting percentages of 48.3% FG and 41.3% threes, which includes a 50.2% FG clip over the past five contests.
PG Stephen Curry continues to be the best scorer on the planet at 34.2 PPG in 35.6 minutes per game. He's making 52% FG and 45% threes, while also contributing 5.8 APG, 5.3 RPG and 2.5 SPG, which ranks third in the league. SG Klay Thompson (16.3 PPG, 3.9 RPG) has started off slow with just one 20-point game in his first 10 contests, but is beginning to heat up with 22.0 PPG on 45% FG over the past two games.
The starting frontcourt of versatile PF Draymond Green (12.5 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 7.1 APG, 1.4 BPG, 1.4 SPG), SF Harrison Barnes (13.5 PPG, 49% FG, 4.9 RPG) and C Festus Ezeli (8.4 PPG, 58% FG, 5.6 RPG, 1.7 BPG) have all played key roles in the success of this unbeaten team. Green had a triple-double of 16 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds on Saturday and also produced a well-rounded game on Thursday versus the Clippers with 19 points, nine assists and six boards.
The Warriors defense has also been tough this season in limiting teams to a respectable 100.2 PPG (13th in league) on 42.9% FG (8th in NBA) and a pitiful 29.7% threes (best in league).
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
