Whenever the Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons meet, it will always invoke memories of their rivalry from the late 1980s and early ’90s.
Unfortunately, the current form of these franchises isn’t scaring anyone in the league, but at least the Bulls can extend their season if they get through the postseason play-in tournament that starts next week.
But first things first.
The Bulls travel to the Motor City Thursday night to face the Pistons, looking to avoid their third loss to Detroit this season.
Here’s a betting preview and pick of the game.
Bulls vs. Pistons odds
Spread: Bulls -9.5 (-110), Pistons +9.5 (-110)
Total: o220 (-110), u220 (-110)
Moneyline: Bulls -450, Pistons +350
Odds via FanDuel
Maximize your Bulls vs. Pistons action with our FanDuel promo code.
Bulls vs. Pistons prediction
Chicago will face Atlanta in next week’s play-in tournament, and a win Thursday night against Detroit will lock up homecourt advantage in that matchup.
The Bulls have lost two straight games after a 128-117 home setback to the Knicks on Tuesday. That defeat dropped Chicago to 3-7 in its last 10 games.
Detroit owns the worst record in the NBA at 13-66 after dropping its fifth consecutive game on Tuesday at Philadelphia.
The Pistons have lost six straight contests at Little Caesars Arena. They own a 1-5 record against the spread in their last six home games as an underdog of seven points or more.
The Bulls had beaten the Pistons seven consecutive times since 2021, but Detroit has captured two of three matchups this season.
In the most recent meeting at United Center in late February, the Pistons topped the Bulls, 105-95, as Chicago knocked down only 2-of-29 attempts from 3-point range.
In the three matchups, Bulls guard DeMar DeRozan has averaged a shade under 25 points per game.
Bulls vs. Pistons pick
Chicago will not want to go down this season losing three times to the team that has the fewest wins in the league.
And with homecourt for the play-in game on the line, let’s back the Bulls to cover the spread as a road favorite against the Pistons.
Pick: Bulls -9.5 (-108 at BetRivers)
