NBA
Denver Nuggets vs Chicago Bulls Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
Kick Off Time: 09.00 pm, ET Venue: Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado The NBA cross-conference match between the Denver Nuggets and Chicago Bulls is set to go down at Ball Arena on Monday, 24th March 2025. Denver are hot in pursuit of home court advantage in the playoffs, with hope of winning back the NBA title still lingering in their minds. Chicago are still in the hunt for a playoff spot and this fixture promises a high-octane offense from both teams. Join NBA betting fans who are already diving into the odds, as they assess both teams, hoping to find the best value.
Nikola Jokic and Nikola Vucevic//Getty Images
The Nuggets have been consistently good, despite battling it out in the bloodbath that is the Western Conference. They have maneuvered through injuries to some of its core personnel quite impressively, although much of the credit goes to the three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić. They are ranked third on the Western Conference standings, with a record of 43-25 attached to their name.
On the other hand, the Chicago Bulls are having an underwhelming season although they have a chance of getting into the playoffs via the play-in games. They were aggressive during the trade deadline, with a massive roster shake up that saw star shooting guard Zach LaVine depart for Sacramento. The Bulls have begun to rebuild around a youthful talented core that is explosive offensively. However, they are not contending for the NBA title this season, and first round playoff berth will be a massive achievement, considering they have a losing record of 28-39, which is good enough for tenth place on the Eastern conference standings. For fans looking to add excitement to the postseason race, many sportsbooks are offering a sportsbook welcome bonus to get started with betting on NBA action.
Pre-Game Odds and Win Probability
These odds can be vastly found on the best online betting sites.
Denver Nuggets: 2/7 (1.29) – 77.5%
Chicago Bulls: 11/4 (3.75) – 26.7%
Forecast Odds – Betting available on 1Win closer to event.
Head-to-Head Record
In their five recent matchups, the Nuggets have won three games while the Bulls have won twice.
LAST FIVE MATCHES
| Season | Date | Result |
| 2024/2025 | January 27th 2025 | Chicago Bulls 129-121 Denver Nuggets |
| 2023/2024 | December 12th 2023 | Chicago Bulls 106-114 Denver Nuggets |
| 2023/2024 | November 4th 2023 | Denver Nuggets 123-101 Chicago Bulls |
| 2022/2023 | March 8th 2023 | Denver Nuggets 96-117 Chicago Bulls |
| 2022/2023 | November 13th 2022 | Chicago Bulls 103-126 Denver Nuggets |
Denver Nuggets: Current Form – LWLWL
- Overall Record: 43-25
- Home Record: 23-11
- Away Record: 20-14
The Denver Nuggets have experienced a turbulent form in recent games, which proves how difficult the Western conference has been throughout the season. They have been among the top six for much of the season. The Nuggets have been playing exceedingly well and are ranked second in offensive rating, with a score of 119.3 and only the Cleveland Cavaliers are ahead of them.
The Nuggets boasts one of the best NBA players, in Nikola Jokić, who is among the top three favorites to claim the MVP award. Jamal Murray continues to be the perfect sidekick to Jokić and his production will only increase in readiness for the playoffs, where he normally explodes and wreaks havoc as one of the best elite postseason scorers.
Russell Westbrook has provided the spark off the bench, with his production lessening the burden on Jokić’s shoulders. Michael Porter Jr. seems to have shrugged of recent struggles as he continues working on his form, while Christian Braun has remarkably filled in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s shooting guard position since the latter departed for Orlando Magic last offseason.
Head coach Michael Malone is hopeful of having his entire squad healthy for the playoffs and with a balanced bench, the Nuggets are a matchup nightmare for every team in a seven game series.
Matas Buzelis//Getty Images
Key Players to Watch
- Nikola Jokić: This season, Nikola Jokić has been super dominant, often fueling the Nuggets’ wins. He is leading the team with 28.9 points per game, 12.8 rebounds, 10.3 assist and 1.8 steals and is on route to averaging a triple double for the entire season.
- Jamal Murray: Jamal Murray has managed to shrug off injuries that have been a menace throughout his career. He is fit and has been the team’s second leading scorer with 21.5 points per game. Murray is walking bucket whenever he graces the court for the Nuggets.
- Russell Westbrook: Russell Westbrook has finally found his mojo after been written off as a locker room cancer. Despite his waning athletic abilities, Westbrook has curved a niche as the team’s emotional leader and glue. He is the primary ball handler for the second unit and has greatly improved his three-point percentage, an Achilles heel for most of his NBA career.
Denver Nuggets Team News
The Denver Nuggets have a clean bill of health for this meeting with their only concern been Aaron Gordon’s calf discomfort.
Chicago Bulls: Current Form – LWWWW
- Overall Record: 28-39
- Home Record: 13-22
- Away Record: 15-17
The Chicago bulls have had a poor season so far and have been stuck in tenth position on the standings for quite some time. However, their recently assembled young core has been balling, and a playoff berth is there for the taking as they hold the last position that guarantees a play-in berth.
Veteran center Nikola Vucevic’s experience will be critical if the Bulls are to make the playoffs, as he is surrounded by an exciting and talented young core made up of; Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, Patrick Williams, Coby White and the recently acquired Kevin Huerter.
Lonzo Ball will have to repay the franchise’s faith after recently been handed a contract extension. His time in Chicago has been catastrophic, with injuries being a constant thorn limiting his availability.
Head coach Billy Donovan is using this season as a building block to something greater and the experience gained from such matchups against NBA title favorites will be important in the player development.
Key Players to Watch
- Coby White: Coby White has been seeing a lot of the ball since Zach LaVine left for Sacramento. White is capable of going on streaky scoring surges and his production will come in handy for the Bulls against Nuggets not known for playing elite defense.
- Nikola Vucevic: Nikola Vucevic will be relied on to offer offensive points in the post and his perimeter shooting is a low-key weapon for the team. He leads the team in rebounds with 10.1 per game and his offensive battle against Nikola Jokić will be key if the Bulls are to claim the spoils.
- Kevin Huerter: Kevin Huerter can get hot in an instant. Huerter’s points will come in handy and his three-point shooting is likely to cause the Nuggets a lot of problems. This season he is averaging 11.5 points per game.
Chicago Bulls Team News
Lonzo Ball will miss this meeting as he is recovering a wrist injury, while Josh Giddey is ruled out with an ankle injury. Ayo Dosunmu will undergo a season-ending surgery due to left shoulder instability and will be unavailable.
Predicted Lineups
Denver Nuggets Lineup
- Point Guard: Jamal Murray
- Shooting Guard: Christian Braun
- Small Forward: Michael Porter Jr.
- Power Forward: Aaron Gordon
- Center: Nikola Jokic
Chicago Bulls Lineup
- Point Guard: Tre Jones
- Shooting Guard: Coby White
- Small Forward: Kevin Huerter
- Power Forward: Matas Buzelis
- Center: Nikola Vucevic
Value Bets
Nikola Jokic – To score Over 25.5 points: Jokic has been incredibly dominant on nearly all sets this season, averaging 33 points per game in more than eight games. If Aaron Gordon remains out due to injury, Jokic is expected to carry a larger burden as a scorer, hence he will most likely be explosive in scoring.
Jamal Murray: To score over 20.5 points: Murray has been averaging 20.3 points this season, which proves that he has the capacity to fulfill this prop. Although the Chicago Bulls’ defense has been lethal on the opposing point guards, Jamal’s duo with Jokic will most likely elevate his confidence, pushing him to remain steadfast against the Bulls’ defense.
Prediction: Denver Nuggets to Win
After being handed a bitter loss on theirlast January 27 encounter with the Bulls, the Nuggets are definitely seeking a well-served revenge against their opponents. The showdown will occur at the Nuggets’ home court, further strengthening their chance to win. Therefore, the favor hugely falls on the Denver Nuggets.
Ian Mugo Wanyeki is based in Nairobi, Kenya. He is a sports enthusiast with vast knowledge of different sport disciplines. Ian is a graduate with a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Kenyatta University. He is a Kenyan journalist who’s worked as a sports analyst at Covenant Television Network, as a sports reporter at NTV and as a Sports Correspondent/contributor at Quartz Africa.
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