The Indiana Pacers go for a fourth straight win tonight to boost their chances of climbing into the Top 6 in the East, but they’re hosting a Chicago Bulls team with the exact same target.
It’s been a typical rollercoaster year in Chicago, but I’m encouraged by the visitors’ last two outings, and my Bulls vs Pacers predictions expect Indiana to have its hands full.
Check out my NBA picks for this Wednesday, January 8 Central Division showdown, including a wager tied to Chicago’s strength from downtown.
Bulls vs Pacers prediction
My best bet
Bulls +6 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
Losing to the Washington Wizards on New Year’s Day was just about the worst possible way for the Chicago Bulls to tip off 2025, but they’ve since rinsed the bad taste from their mouths with impressive wins over the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs.
Billy Donovan has to be thrilled with how his starting five has looked in those victories. Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic, and Coby White combined for 82 points against the Spurs, and they’re doing just enough on the defensive end.
The Indiana Pacers are working on a streak of their own, but I’m not putting as much stock in wins over the depleted Brooklyn Nets and the out-of-sorts Phoenix Suns.
With question marks around Indiana’s frontcourt depth — and Tyrese Haliburton listed as questionable with an ankle issue — I’m taking the points with Chicago.
The 3-point line tends to keep the Bulls in contests. They jack up the second-most 3-pointers per game in the NBA (43.9), while the Pacers rank 27th in that category with almost 10 fewer attempts. An average night from downtown paired with a ruthless approach to attacking the basket whenever Myles Turner sits feels like a reliable recipe for Chicago.
Though Indiana is 9-6 at home, the Bulls have a steady 10-8 mark on the road and they’ve won four of their last five games overall. LaVine & Co. will be in the hunt again tonight.
Bulls vs Pacers same-game parlay
Bulls +6
Coby White Over 2.5 threes
Pascal Siakam Over 7.5 rebounds
By now, we know to expect a barrage of 3-pointers from this Chicago offense, and I’m riding the hot hand among the Bulls’ sharpshooters. White has provided the spark for the visitors lately, including a scorching 9-for-11 effort from beyond the arc in the surprise win over the Knicks.
White can be a streaky shooter (37% from deep this year), but I like the Over on 2.5 made 3-pointers here — and he poured in four triples against the Pacers in the teams’ last meeting. Even if Haliburton plays, that’s a matchup that White should still be able to exploit.
I’m also buying into Pascal Siakam’s rebounding leap. He’s been a much bigger factor on the glass since the middle of December, and he’s gone past this 7.5 line in seven of his past 10 contests.
In what should be an up-tempo matchup, I see Siakam stuffing the stat sheet on the heels of an 11-rebound night against the Miami Heat last Thursday, and his athleticism will be key for the hosts as they try to stay connected to Chicago shooters.
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Bulls vs Pacers odds
Bulls vs Pacers live odds
Bulls vs Pacers opening odds
- Spread: Chicago +5.5 (-110) | Indiana -5.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Chicago +175 | Indiana -210
- Over/Under: Over 241.5 (-110) | Under 241.5 (-110)
Odds courtesy of bet365
Bulls vs Pacers spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Pacers are clear favorites and took down the Bulls in an early December clash, but Chicago has covered the spread in two of the last three meetings.
- The Bulls have clawed their way back after posting a miserable 5-11 mark in November, and they’re 22-16 in their past 38 road games.
- The Over is an eye-catching 21-14-2 for Indiana this year, but the Under has hit in four of Chicago’s past five outings.
- Both teams rank in the Top 10 in points per gam, and they blew past tonight’s O/U line of 240.5 in their last meeting — a 132-123 Pacers victory.
Bulls vs Pacers trend
The 1Q Under has been a winning ticket in 20 of Indiana’s last 29 contests. Find more NBA betting trends for Bulls vs. Pacers.
How to watch Bulls vs Pacers
| Location: | Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN |
| Date: | Wednesday, 1-8-2025 |
| Tip-off: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | FDSN Indiana, CHSN |
Bulls vs Pacers latest injuries
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