The Chicago Bulls finally took a step off the treadmill of mediocrity when they traded Zach LaVine at the deadline a few weeks ago. Surprisingly, Chicago’s offense has not fallen off without LaVine, not that it was all that impressive beforehand.
That long-term struggle should be exacerbated against the Los Angeles Clippers tonight. Los Angeles has a stellar defense, and that will lead my Clippers vs. Bulls predictions and NBA picks for Wednesday, February 26.
Clippers vs Bulls prediction
My best bet
Bulls team total Under 110.5 (-115 at bet365)
My analysis
Even before he was traded to the Kings, Zach LaVine was sidelined by personal reasons. He missed three games, starting Jan. 29, and then he was sent off to rejoin DeMar DeRozan, a reunion that we do not ridicule enough.
Before that absence, LaVine had played in 42 of the Chicago Bulls 47 games this season. More pertinently, he had played in 15 of 16 games in the previous month, when the Bulls’ offensive rating sat at No. 23 in the NBA, 110.9.
Since LaVine’s absence, 11 games beginning Jan. 29, Chicago’s offensive rating has sat at No. 23 in the NBA, 110.9.
Yes, those are the exact same numbers. It is rather comical.
Suffice it to say, LaVine was not boosting the Bulls’ prospects, but losing him has not exactly produced anything enjoyable, either.
Across a greater sample size, preferable for obvious reasons, the Los Angeles Clippers’ defensive rating ranks No. 3 in the NBA across the last two months, more than a point better than the Pistons at No. 4. Detroit is mentioned specifically because Chicago played it twice just before the All-Star Break, two games in back-to-back nights, both in the Madhouse on Madison.
The Pistons controlled both games handily, holding the Bulls to 92 points the first night and 110 the next. Chicago fell short of its Team Total both nights, 116.5 the first night and 115.5 the next.
Continue to doubt the Bulls. They have botched another season of any worthwhile roster development, and their offense shows those flaws most distinctly against quality defenses like the Clippers’.
Clippers vs Bulls same-game parlay
Bulls team total Under 110.5
Josh Giddey Over 16.5 points
Josh Giddey Over 1.5 threes
Josh Giddey has seen his workload increase more than any other Bull since LaVine first found the bench on Jan. 29. Giddey’s usage rate has climbed to 23.2% from 20% before LaVine’s gradual exit. The impending free agent has scored 18.5 points per game in the 11 games since this lineup change, up from 11.5 in the previous 43.
In fact, Giddey has scored 20 or more in five of those 11 games, including each of the last three. Even in that second ugly loss to Detroit, he scored 17 points.
Much of this shift has come from beyond the arc, where Giddey now shoots 4.9 times per game, compared to 3.7 times per game beforehand. In his last four games, Giddey has gone 13-of-18 from deep, the shots taken as notable as the shots made.
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Clippers vs Bulls odds
Clippers vs Bulls live odds
Clippers vs Bulls opening odds
- Spread: Los Angeles -7.5 | Chicago +7.5
- Moneyline: Los Angeles -305 | Chicago +245
- Over/Under: Over 229 | Under 229
Odds courtesy of bet365
Clippers vs Bulls spread and Over/Under analysis
- This spread opened with Los Angeles favored by 7.5 on Tuesday evening, reaching -8 before sunrise and then -9 before most of the East Coast checked into work.
- The spread did toggle down to -8.5 for some of the morning, then steadying at -9.
- The total opened at 229 and fell to 227.5 before sunrise, then rallying to 229 once again. It stabilized at 228 in the midday.
Clippers vs Bulls trend
Before blowing out the 76ers on Monday, the Bulls had fallen short of their Team Total in five straight games and by an average of 8.9 points per game. Find more NBA betting trends for Clippers vs. Bulls.
How to watch Clippers vs Bulls
| Location | United Center, Chicago, Illinois |
| Date | Wednesday, 2-26-2025 |
| Tip-off | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | KTLA, CHSN |
Clippers vs Bulls latest injuries
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