We’ve got a good game at Wells Fargo Center as the Philadelphia 76ers host the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls will be hoping to snap a four-game losing streak so this should be a good game with the Sixers having won eight of their last eleven games.
Chicago can’t afford to keep slipping in the standings and come into this one as huge underdogs so let’s see if we can find some value in this exciting contest. Let’s see what the NBA odds for this matchup tell us!
Chicago Bulls vs. Philadelphia 76rs
Monday, March 7, 2022 – 7:00 PM EST at Wells Fargo Center
Chicago Looking to Get Back on Track
Not too long ago, the Bulls were in first place in the Eastern Conference standings. Things can change quickly in the NBA with so many regular-season games. After winning six games in a row, the Bulls have not dropped four straight.
Right before this ten-game stretch, they had lost three out of four, and just like that, they found themselves in fourth place. They are only one game ahead of Boston and two games in front of Cleveland so if they don't get back on track soon, they could be in danger of losing home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
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Tonight they are facing a Sixers team that should be getting James Harden back into the lineup after he missed their last game. Philadelphia is -7.5 point favorite at home which says a lot about how the oddsmakers feel about the Bulls right now.
One thing they do have going in their favor is that their offense is still clicking so this will not be easy for the Sixers. The Bulls will be desperate for a win tonight and after having the weekend off to practice, I think we see a great effort from them tonight.
Harden Should Be Ready to Go
Since acquiring James Harden, the Sixers have looked like legitimate title contenders. He missed their last game against Miami and you could clearly see that this team's offense desperately needs him out there.
As good as Joel Embiid is offensive, the Sixers become way too predictable with just him out there. They can win regular-season games without Harden but it's clear their championship aspirations hinge on this duo.
The same can be said about the Chicago Bulls whose defense has been horrible lately. While they do have some good individual defenders, their team defense really needs to get on track. This is one of the main reasons I feel like the total has more value than the sides do in this one.
The total is 230 at most of the top online sportsbooks. That seems really high for both teams considering the Sixers' average total is 214.4 and the Bulls' average total is 223.4. Clearly this Sixers offense has been out of this world with Harden in it but if the Bulls have any hope of snapping this skid, they will have to find a way to play some form of competent defense.
As much as I'd love to take the points with them, the Sixers can get it done on both sides of the floor. Even though their offense was horrible in their loss to Miami, they only allowed the Heat to put up 99 points.
For my NBA picks, I think this game will have a playoff-like atmosphere considering the stakes for the Bulls. As for the Sixers and their fans, this is a chance to test yourselves against one of the other Eastern Conference playoff teams.
NBA Pick: Under 232 (-110) with Bovada (visit our Bovada Review)
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
