2022-23 NBA Regular Season: Chicago Bulls vs. Portland Trail Blazers Predictions & Preview — March 25, 2023

The Portland Trail Blazers begin a five-game homestand this Saturday when they welcome the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls are coming off a humiliating loss, while the Blazers have just tasted their first win after a long while. 

Catch this game live on Saturday, March 25, at 10 AM, Manila time

Away: Chicago Bulls (34-38/14-21 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: Patrick Beverley
  • SG: Zach LaVine
  • SF: DeMar DeRozan (questionable)
  • PF: Patrick Williams
  • C: Nikola Vučević

The Bulls had considerable momentum going into Thursday’s home game against Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers but it did not matter. Chicago got annihilated by the Sixers, 116-91, in a game the Bulls would rather erase completely from their memory. Before that loss, the Bulls had won three games in a row, including one against the same Sixers team last Tuesday in Philly, 109-105 (2OT). 

Switching from a game against a legitimate title contender to one versus a team that is likely to miss the playoffs, the Bulls should be expected to fare better, albeit with the potential of missing one of their key players. DeMar DeRozan exited the last game and did not return, so he’ll carry a question mark with him heading into Saturday’s contest. The Bulls are averaging 113.2 points per game this season but had way more fun against Portland’s faulty defense in a 129-121 win at home last February. The Bulls are 3-0 ATS in their last three outings.

Home: Portland Trail Blazers (32-40/17-18 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: Damian Lillard
  • SG: Shaedon Sharpe
  • SF: Matisse Thybulle
  • PF: Trendon Watford
  • C: Jusuf Nurkic

Turns out, the Blazers can still win a game. Damian Lillard and the Blazers snapped a six-game game winless streak with a 127-115 victory over the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City last Thursday. Lillard, as usual, led the Blazers with 30 points on 8/19 shooting, while Shaedon Sharpe produced 24 points. The Kentucky-Duke combo of Kevin Knox and Cam Reddish also looked nice coming off the bench, as the two combined for 21 points on 8/16 shooting. 

Portland is going to need the same guys to keep it up, especially with Jerami Grant and Anfernee Simons potentially skipping Saturday’s game. Both missed the Utah game due to injuries.  Although they lost in the previous meeting with Chicago, the Blazers got 40 from Lillard. He can’t do it all, but he’s always a threat to come up with a ridiculous performance, especially against inconsistent teams like Chicago. Portland is 7-3 SU and 5-5 ATS in its last 10 home games against the Bulls.

PREDICTIONS:

Spread: The Bulls (-2.0) cover the spread.