🏀 Chicago Bulls – Golden State Warriors

The Chicago Bulls will play on the second night of a back to back when they take on the Golden State Warriors on Sunday in the NBA.

This pick is being written just as the Bulls are playing the Pacers, a game where I backed the Pacers to win, so this preview will not include Chicago’s performance in that matchup. However, win or lose against the Pacers, that will not have any impact on this game and the bet I am taking on it. And I recommend taking it early, as I am confident odds will drop.

The Warriors had a miserable start to the season with two blowout losses at the hands of Brooklyn and Milwaukee, and there are already questionmarks and criticism about Steph Curry and company, and about Golden State’s ability to even make the playoffs without Klay Thompson, who is out for the season.

What’s fair is fair: the Warriors have been atrocious on both ends of the floor, and their two new wings, Oubre and Wiggins, have been an absolute calamity, combining to shoot 14-for-58 from the field and 2-for-21 from three point range in the first two games.

However, there-s quite a bit of recency bias in the way Golden State is viewed right now, and I consider them to be massively underrated at this moment.

We must not forget that the Warriors played two of the best teams in the league, having a completely new roster, and also missing their glue man and defensive anchor Draymond Green. It was always going to be a struggle, as I said when I confidently backed them to lose their opener against the Nets a few days ago.

But now, having a couple of games under their belt together, and with Draymond Green expected to play tonight (still questionable, but it would be surprising if he doesn’t return), the Warriors should look much better, especially against a team like the Bulls. Struggling against the Nets and the Bucks is one thing, but Chicago is nowhere near the level of those two sides, or near the level of the Warriors themselves.

The Bulls looked bad in a big loss against Atlanta in their opener, and they are not any better than the team which finished with a 22-43 record last season. They will be similar this year. They will also play this game on the second night of a back to back, which is always a major disadvantage, and home court advantage will be diluted as there are no fans in the stands.

The Warriors do lack shooting, but Wiggins and Oubre can’t possibly continue to be this bad, and playing against the lowly Bulls should help them get back on track. At least one of them is bound to have some kind of decent game, relieving some pressure off of Steph Curry. Steph himself hasn’t been that great in the first two games, so we can expect a good night from him. And Draymond Green, if he plays, will make a huge difference. He will not alleviate any of Golden State’s shooting woes, but he will be absolutely instrumental on the defensive end. Also, the way he glues the team together and his playmaking abilities are instrumental to the Warriors as presently constructed. Him and Steph Curry are indispensable if this team wants to make a playoff run.

I would back the Warriors here even without Draymond, but if he plays, as expected, anything over 1.60 seems like a gift to me. I don’t expect the odds to stay this high unless Draymond is ruled out.

I will back the Warriors with a lot of confidence here, they are without a doubt underrated at this particular moment. They should bounce back after two bad outings and take care of an inferior Bulls team which will be on the second night of a back to back. Prediction: Chicago Bulls – Golden State Warriors 105 – 120.

Pick: Warriors
Odds: 1.77 @ William Hill
Stake: 10
Possible profit: 7.70
Event date: 27 December