Bulls vs Pacers Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: DeRozan in a Groove in Indiana

As the days to the NBA playoffs countdown, the Indiana Pacers are trying to keep their head above water as the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference. A few too many losses could lock them into a spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament, where they would potentially see the Chicago Bulls.

A win over Chicago on Wednesday night is paramount with the Philadelphia 76ers breathing down Indiana’s neck. The NBA odds have the Pacers as a 4-point favorite over the Bulls, but Rick Carlisle’s flimsy defense could be in for a tough matchup.

Find out where my best bets lie in our NBA picks and predictions for Bulls vs. Pacers on Wednesday, March 13.

Bulls vs Pacers odds

Bulls vs Pacers predictions

As DeMar DeRozan ages, he hasn’t seemed to have lost a step. The six-time All-Star is on his third team and isn’t slowing down after making the All-Star team in each of his first two seasons in the Windy City.

With Zach LaVine, Patrick Williams, and Lonzo Ball out for the season, the Chicago Bulls could have rolled over and nobody would have batted an eye. Instead, DeRozan has helped keep the team afloat and has them in position for at least a shot at the playoffs via the NBA Play-In Tournament.

At 34 years old, the former ninth overall pick out of USC is the Bulls’ leading scorer and the catalyst for Billy Donovan’s offense. While Chicago has struggled to put up points consistently as a team, DeRozan has had to carry the squad on his back at times, and likely will again against the Indiana Pacers.

Luckily for the former Toronto Raptor, the Pacers’ defense should be light work for DeRozan with it being one of the worst in the league this season. DeRozan will be tasked with keeping up with Indiana’s high-flying attack that prioritizes offensive output over defensive dominance.

For as good as Indiana has been this year it’s been dreadful on the defensive end, giving up the third-most points per game in the NBA (121.3) and ranking sixth-worst in defensive rating (118.7). It’s been bad against nearly every position on the court this season, so call DeRozan what you want (he’s technically a power forward in Chicago), but he’s poised to take advantage.

Indiana is giving up the second-most points per game in the NBA to power forwards this season (26.67), the fifth-most rebounds (10.83), and the 12th-most assists (4.47). In Chicago’s small-ball style lineup, DeRozan is often tasked with playing the four despite being a natural shooting guard or small forward.

If we want to get technical about what his true position is though, Indiana isn’t much better against the two or the three. The Pacers are allowing the second-most points per game to shooting guards (24.23) and the fourth-most to small forwards (22.9). 

Wherever DeRozan is playing against this Indiana defense, he’s in for a big night. He’s putting up the most points per game (23) and assists per game (5.3) for Chicago this season while chipping in 4.2 rebounds a night. 

He’s the player the Bulls lean on night in and night out, playing the most minutes per game in the NBA this season (37.7) and leading the Bulls in field goal attempts per game, free throw attempts per game, and usage rate (24.2%).

The Bulls star has long been known for his midrange game with 13.7 of his 16.6 shot attempts being 2-pointers, which matches up perfectly against Indiana. The Pacers are allowing the second most 2-point field goals per game in the NBA this season (34.1) with opponents shooting 56.4% from inside the arc.

DeRozan is also coming off NBA Player of the Week honors after averaging 29.8 points, 6.3 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game to lead the Bulls to a 3-1 record last week. The recognition prompted Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd to praise DeRozan ahead of a matchup against the Mavs.

“His (midrange) game is as good as anyone in the world,” Kidd said before the Mavs took on the Bulls. “He’s playing at a high level. He’s a vet. The things you heard about him in Toronto or San Antonio being a pro, that’s what you want and that’s what Chicago has.”

My best bet: DeMar DeRozan Over 33.5 points + rebounds + assists (-115 at bet365)

Bulls vs Pacers same-game parlay

DeMar DeRozan Over 33.5 points + rebounds + assists

Coby White Over 20.5 points

Tyrese Haliburton Over 2.5 made 3s

+575 at bet365

Alongside DeRozan’s heroics this season in Chi-Town, Coby White has emerged as a perfect wingman to the veteran. The former North Carolina star is averaging a career-high 19.6 points per game and 38.8% shooting from three. 

He’s been an electric scoring threat and will be capable of pushing the pace against a Pacers defense that’s allowing 24.49 points per game to point guards this season. To counteract DeRozan and White, the Pacers will need All-Star Tyrese Haliburton to step up.

Haliburton has been shooting 37.3% from deep this season on 7.7 attempts per game, and he’ll need that range against Chicago. The Bulls are allowing the second-most 3s per game in the NBA this season (14.4).

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Bulls vs Pacers spread and Over/Under analysis

The Pacers opened as 3.5 to 4.5-point home favorites with most books settling in with the Bulls +4 as tip-off approaches. The Pacers have been one of the best teams ATS in the NBA this season at 35-29-3. Chicago isn’t far behind with a record of 33-31-1 ATS. Indiana covered against Chicago as a 1-point favorite in the latest matchup between the two.

Given Indiana’s explosive offense and poor defense, the game total opened as high as 233.5, but has since come down to 229.5. The Pacers are 33-32-2 betting the Over this season, but just 3-11 across the last 14 games. The Bulls have been better betting the Over at 34-30-1, but hit the Under in both games against Indiana this season.

Bulls vs Pacers betting trend to know

The Bulls have hit the moneyline in 13 of their last 22 away games (+11.20 Units / 38% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Bulls vs. Pacers.

Bulls vs Pacers game info

Bulls vs Pacers latest injuries

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