by Chuck Sommers
Friday, Mar 31, 2023
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Venue: United Center, Chicago, IL
Where to watch: BSSW-MEM, NBC Sports Chicago
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Check back later for odds
BetMGM: Check back later for odds
Caesars: Check back later for odds
Season record
Grizzlies: 48-28
Bulls: 36-40
The All-Star break is over in the NBA and it's time to get on the horse and finish up the final home stretch of the season. Big trades, uncertainty, and absolute hilarity across the board all gearing up for the final home stretch of this season. You know who is also gearing up for the home stretch? Our champion handicappers at bigal.com who are ready to win their way all the way to the playoffs. There's a lot going on that we can't wait for in these final 23-25 games and you're going to need every bit of hardcore analysis you can get from this group. Just in the last 30 days we've had some big winners. Doc's Sports has posted a 16-6-0 record in the last month (+$9,200). AAA Sports has killed it at 17-8-0, and then Al McMordie with a dominant 20-11-1 mark over the last 30 days. Everything you need to know and more about what's going on this league and sports in general will be a fun finish to the end. All you have to do is go to bigal.com and find our Best Bets page and put forth something that only you think is good. Here's a hint: Go to the bigal.com website and happy betting.
Grizzlies - Bulls preview, prediction and analysis
As the Memphis Grizzlies prepare to take on the Chicago Bulls on April 2, 2023, basketball fans are excited for what promises to be an exciting matchup between two talented teams. The Grizzlies are looking to solidify their position in the Western Conference playoff race, while the Bulls are hoping to continue their impressive run of form and potentially move up the standings.
Team Form
The Memphis Grizzlies have been playing well lately, winning four of their last five games. They are coming off an impressive 124-107 victory over the Phoenix Suns, in which they shot an impressive 52.6% from the field. The Grizzlies are currently in seventh place in the Western Conference, just two games behind the fourth-place Utah Jazz.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls have been one of the hottest teams in the league recently, winning eight of their last ten games. They are coming off a thrilling 122-119 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, in which Zach LaVine scored 32 points and dished out 10 assists. The Bulls are currently in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, just one game behind the fourth-place Miami Heat.
Key Players
The Memphis Grizzlies have a number of key players who will be crucial to their success in this game. Ja Morant has been the team's best player this season, averaging almost 30 points and 8.9 assists per game. Jaren Jackson Jr. has also been playing well since returning from injury, averaging 16.5 points per game. The Grizzlies will need both of these players to be at their best if they hope to come away with the win.
For the Chicago Bulls, their success will depend largely on the play of their star duo of Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan. LaVine has been playing at an All-Star level this season, averaging 27.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game. DeRozan has also been playing well, averaging 22.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game. The Bulls will need both of these players to continue their impressive play if they hope to extend their winning streak.
Matchup Analysis
The matchup between the Grizzlies and Bulls promises to be an intriguing one. Both teams possess dynamic playmakers and will be looking to score at a high rate. The Grizzlies have been particularly strong on offense this season, averaging 113.7 points per game, the sixth-best mark in the league.
One area where the Bulls may be able to exploit the Grizzlies is on the defensive end of the court. The Bulls have been one of the best defensive teams in the league this season, allowing just 105.5 points per game, the third-best mark in the league. The Grizzlies, on the other hand, have struggled defensively at times this season, allowing 111.3 points per game. If the Bulls can lock down defensively and limit the Grizzlies' scoring opportunities, they will have a good chance of coming away with the win.
The Grizzlies, meanwhile, will be looking to take advantage of their size and athleticism in the paint. The Grizzlies have one of the best rebounding teams in the league, averaging 47.2 rebounds per game, the second-best mark in the league. They also have a number of talented big men, including Jaren Jackson Jr. and Steven Adams, who can dominate inside. If the Grizzlies can control the paint and dominate the glass, they will be a difficult team to beat.
Prediction
The Grizzlies still need to prove they can be a consistent team heading into the playoffs. Not a bad place to start. Grizzlies 120, Bulls 112
Team Form
The Memphis Grizzlies have been playing well lately, winning four of their last five games. They are coming off an impressive 124-107 victory over the Phoenix Suns, in which they shot an impressive 52.6% from the field. The Grizzlies are currently in seventh place in the Western Conference, just two games behind the fourth-place Utah Jazz.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls have been one of the hottest teams in the league recently, winning eight of their last ten games. They are coming off a thrilling 122-119 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, in which Zach LaVine scored 32 points and dished out 10 assists. The Bulls are currently in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, just one game behind the fourth-place Miami Heat.
Key Players
The Memphis Grizzlies have a number of key players who will be crucial to their success in this game. Ja Morant has been the team's best player this season, averaging almost 30 points and 8.9 assists per game. Jaren Jackson Jr. has also been playing well since returning from injury, averaging 16.5 points per game. The Grizzlies will need both of these players to be at their best if they hope to come away with the win.
For the Chicago Bulls, their success will depend largely on the play of their star duo of Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan. LaVine has been playing at an All-Star level this season, averaging 27.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game. DeRozan has also been playing well, averaging 22.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game. The Bulls will need both of these players to continue their impressive play if they hope to extend their winning streak.
Matchup Analysis
The matchup between the Grizzlies and Bulls promises to be an intriguing one. Both teams possess dynamic playmakers and will be looking to score at a high rate. The Grizzlies have been particularly strong on offense this season, averaging 113.7 points per game, the sixth-best mark in the league.
One area where the Bulls may be able to exploit the Grizzlies is on the defensive end of the court. The Bulls have been one of the best defensive teams in the league this season, allowing just 105.5 points per game, the third-best mark in the league. The Grizzlies, on the other hand, have struggled defensively at times this season, allowing 111.3 points per game. If the Bulls can lock down defensively and limit the Grizzlies' scoring opportunities, they will have a good chance of coming away with the win.
The Grizzlies, meanwhile, will be looking to take advantage of their size and athleticism in the paint. The Grizzlies have one of the best rebounding teams in the league, averaging 47.2 rebounds per game, the second-best mark in the league. They also have a number of talented big men, including Jaren Jackson Jr. and Steven Adams, who can dominate inside. If the Grizzlies can control the paint and dominate the glass, they will be a difficult team to beat.
Prediction
The Grizzlies still need to prove they can be a consistent team heading into the playoffs. Not a bad place to start. Grizzlies 120, Bulls 112
Projected starting lineup
Grizzlies:
PG: Ja Morant
SG: Desmond Bane
SF: Dillon Brooks
PF: Jaren Jackson Jr.
C: Xavier Tillman
Bulls:
PG: Patrick Beverley
SG: Alex Caruso
SF: Zach LaVine
PF: DeMar DeRozan
C: Nikola Vucevic
Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert basketball picks today. And if you enjoyed this preview, be sure to drop by every day for our daily NBA projections and previews.
Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
