THE Chicago Bulls begin a four-game road trip Monday with a matchup against the Kings of Sacramento. Chicago, which lost 123-115 to Sacramento on February 3, hopes to win and even the season series. The Bulls might struggle to come away with a win as they will be without several key players.
The Kings’ roster could be strengthened by the return of De’Aaron Fox who missed his team’s last two games due to knee soreness. He would have participated fully in Sacramento’s last practice, which could allow him to be cleared for said game. Domantas SabonisKeegan Murray and Harrison Barnes will lead the home team if ‘Swipa’ remains inactive.
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The Bulls continue to have an up and down season. They beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 132-123 in overtime on Wednesday, but lost in the final. Milwaukee Bucks 113-97 Friday. The Bulls will have to play better against the Kings to end their trend of alternating wins and losses in their last five games.
Chicago Bulls vs Sacramento Kings: Preview, Predictions and Betting Tips
The Kings will host the Bulls at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California on Monday starting at 10 p.m. ET. NBC Sports California and NBCSCH+ are the local networks that will cover the game. Streaming is also available by subscribing to the NBA League Pass.
Basketball fans can tune into SiriusXM, Sactown Sports 1140 AM and 670 The Score to follow the action.
Money line: Bulls (+270) vs. Kings (-260)
Spread: Bulls (+6.5) vs. Kings (-6.5)
Total (P/U): Bulls (o227.5 -110) vs. Kings (u227.5 -110)
Editor’s note: Odds may change as the game approaches. The odds listed were consistent with information available at the time of writing.
Chicago Bulls vs. Sacramento Kings: Game Preview
The Chicago Bulls will once again be without Zach LaVine, Patrick Williams, Torrey Craig and Lonzo Ball. Alex Caruso is also doubtful due to right hamstring strain. In Chicago’s victories, he mainly succeeded by having the hot hand. If any of Coby White, DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic have an off night, the Bulls lose.
All three will have to play well simultaneously to have any chance of beating the Kings. In the loss to the Bucks, “Deebo” couldn’t start early but the Bulls were carried by White and Vucevic. Once DeRozan found his touch, Vucevic was ejected from the game. The trio must have a good game together to win on the road.
The Sacramento Kings are 1-1 in De’Aaron Fox’s last two absences. They impressively beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 124-120 in overtime without the speedy point guard.
Kings coach Mike Brown has a healthier, more complete roster than his counterpart Billy Donovan. Brown’s team has the advantage even if Fox is inactive. The Kings should maximize their chances of decisively winning the season series against Chicago.
Chicago Bulls vs. Sacramento Kings: Starting Lineups
SF – DeMar DeRozan, VS – Nikola Vučević, PG – Coby White and PG – Alex Dosunmu are the starters. Alex Caruso will join them if he is cleared to play. Otherwise, Terry Taylor could play in his place.
VS -Domantas Sabonis, SF -Harrison Barnes, SF – Keegan Murray And SG – Kevin Huerter continues to start for the Kings. De’Aaron Fox will take over the point guard position if he is cleared to play. Otherwise, Keon Ellis or Davion Mitchell could join the other four players.
Chicago Bulls vs Sacramento Kings: Betting Tips
Coby White gets a prop of 21.5 points over/under. The Chicago Bulls guard has had an up-and-down two weeks, averaging 16.4 points on just 30.1 percent shooting, including 24.2 percent from deep. Sacramento isn’t an elite defensive team but it’s not too bad either. They may have enough to contain White and prevent him from overtaking his points accessory.
De’Aaron Fox has a prop 24.5 point plus/minus. The Sacramento Kings star’s betting line is quite surprising as he has averaged 31.6 points on 52.4% shooting in his last five games. If his bruised knee continues to bother him, he may not make it past his points prop. Otherwise, he could easily overcome this if he was 100% healthy.
Chicago Bulls vs. Sacramento Kings: Prediction
Much of the Chicago Bulls’ success depends on how hot they are for most of the game. If DeMar DeRozan, Coby White and Nikola Vucevic fail, they could be blown away.
The Sacramento Kings know how to win even when De’Aaron Fox is not around or struggling. With home court advantage and a healthier roster, they could get the W and do it against Chicago’s +6.5 spread.
