The Chicago Bulls (23-23) and Indiana Pacers (11-36) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. The game will broadcast live on FDSIN.
The Bulls are 2-point favorites over the Pacers on the spread (Bulls -2), with the over/under set at 235.5 total points. Chicago is a -135 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Indiana is +115 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Bulls vs. Pacers predictions and NBA picks for Wednesday, January 28.
Bulls vs Pacers Prediction, Picks
- Bulls vs Pacers pick: Josh Giddey Over 7.5 Assists (-112)
My Bulls vs Pacers best bet is on Josh Giddey over 7.5 assists, with the best price currently available at bet365, but make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Bulls vs Pacers Odds
| Bulls Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2 -110 | 235.5 -110o / -110u | -135 |
| Pacers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2 -110 | 235.5 -110o / -110u | +115 |
Bulls vs Pacers NBA Preview
This game is going to be wide open. It feels like a classic early-season Bulls spot.
We just saw them play a wide-open game at home against the Lakers, coming off a much tighter matchup versus Boston — and we know that the Celtics want to play at a snail's pace.
That's what they did in that game, which ended with Boston losing at the buzzer.
Against the Lakers, though, it looked much more like the Bulls we're used to seeing.
Josh Giddey is coming back from a hamstring injury that was pretty severe. He missed quite a few games to start January, but this will be his fourth game back.
In his first game returning, with a minutes restriction, he still handed out five assists. Then he followed that up with 10 assists against Boston, a game where he had 14 potential assists in just 24 minutes.
The Bulls are top five in offense over the last 15 games. They've even gotten some decent performances out of Patrick Williams, and Coby White has been playing a bit better as well.
The total for this game is 235.5, which is the second-highest on the board outside of a Jazz game. It's always tough to top Utah when it comes to totals. I think they're sitting around 242 or 242.5 against the Warriors. But Bulls-Pacers should be wide open too.
Bulls vs Pacers Prediction, Betting Analysis
I like Giddey to score in this game, I like him to assist as well. I'm playing over 7.5 assists, and I'll probably end up playing his point total over as well, although it might be pretty juiced.
You could also look at points plus assists. I don't know if I'll play the combo, but I like him to impact this game offensively on the road against the Pacers.
He had seven assists last game, 10 against the Celtics, and five in his first game back. He's already averaging about 26 minutes since returning, so you figure the minutes and usage will be there.
It's almost like he walked back in and said, "Okay, the ball is back in your hands," especially in the Lakers and Timberwolves games. Ironically, the Celtics game is the one where he really went over.
If this is a tight game, the ball is going to be in Giddey's hands a lot. That's really the only way the Bulls get consistent, true offense and make things run smoothly. If it's not Tre Jones, it's Giddey.
So, keep an eye on this one. I like Giddey to impact the game, especially if it stays close. The spread is under a full possession, so give me Josh Giddey to impact this one.
Pick: Josh Giddey Over 7.5 Assists (-112)
