A Quick Glance at the Chicago Bulls
| ⚖️ Record | 11-17 |
| 🏀 League Standings | 23 of 30 |
| ➡️ Conference Standings | 12 of 15 |
| 📍 Division Standings | 4 of 5 |
| 🤝 Bulls Sportsbook Partner | FanDuel Illinois |
| ✅ Last Verified: | April 24, 2024 |
The Chicago Bulls have turned things around recently even though they have been without one of their top scorers in Zach LaVine, who has not played since Nov. 28 due to a foot injury. The Bulls have been actively shopping LaVine, but have been able to unable unload him thus far, possibly because of the injury.
In the meantime, Chicago's offense has been mainly fueled by veteran swingman DeMar DeRozan and 23-year-old sharpshooter Coby White, with the duo switching off as the team's leading scorer since Dec. 2. White has stepped up lately in LaVine's absence, averaging 26.8 points on 54.2% shooting from the field in the first five games of December. Those numbers include stellar 57.4% shooting from beyond the 3-point arc, making an average of 5.4 trifectas per game.
At least for now, it looks like Bulls head coach Billy Donovan will make it through the holiday season in the Windy City. Of course, that could change with another extended slump—they lost two in a row on Dec. 11 and 12. With a difficult stretch of games ahead before the calendar turns to 2024, it will be up to Donovan to get the most out of his players and produce some more wins heading into the New Year.
Chicago Bulls 2023-24 Odds
| 🏀 To Make Playoffs | +320 |
| 🏀 To Miss Playoffs | -430 |
| 🏀 Win Eastern Conf. | +18000 |
| 🏀 Win Central Div. | +12000 |
| 🏆 Win NBA Finals | +24000 |
| ✅ Last Verified: | April 24, 2024 |
*Note that some Illinois sportsbook promos may increase payouts on select NBA futures bets.
While the Chicago Bulls have been playing better lately, so have other teams around the NBA, including those in the Eastern Conference and Central Division. That has prevented the Bulls NBA Finals odds from shortening.
As you see above, Chicago's odds to win the Eastern Conference and Central Division are long. That obviously does not bode well for the Bulls' chances of winning the Larry O'Brien Trophy this season, as the Bucks, Pacers and Cavaliers are all much better teams within their own division.
Then you have to factor in the Atlantic Division's Celtics and 76ers, two of the best teams in the East, along with the Bucks.
In terms of winning the conference and the championship, practically no NBA betting sites are giving anyone other than Boston, Philadelphia and Milwaukee a chance; the Miami Heat might be the lone exception because of what they did in last year's postseason.
2023 Bulls Projections
Chicago needs to resolve the situation with Zach LaVine as soon as possible so the team can move on and figure out what direction is next. The Bulls can use DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic as veteran foundation pieces for the rest of this season or flip them too for future assets.
But they have to rid themselves of LaVine before any other additional moves can be made before the NBA trade deadline.
Heading into the holiday season, this team has performed slightly better and even managed to put together a season-high four-game winning streak before losing again. However, LaVine's current injured status is hanging over Chicago like a cloud and needs to clear up so he can be dealt.
After that happens, young players like Coby White can continue to flourish as building blocks for the future.
The Bulls have seemed to play better sans LaVine, allowing White shining more—maybe because they have played looser and with more energy. Whatever the case might be, they are not winning the NBA championship again anytime soon. First, they need to figure out how to become playoff contenders.
🔥 MORE: See How Do the Bulls Perform Compared to Preseason Win Totals in previous years.
Where Can I Bet on the Bulls Odds?
You can bet on the Bulls at licensed sportsbooks around the state of Illinois. Illinois sports betting is legal online and at retail locations. There are several locations to bet in person, including:
- 📍 The Temporary by American Place Casino in Waukegan
- 📍 Hollywood Casino in Joliet
- 📍 Rivers Casino in Des Plaines
- 📍 Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin
- 📍 Casino Queen in East St. Louis
- 📍 Par-A-Dice Casino in East Peoria
- 📍 Hawthorne Race Course in Cicero
Eight online Illinois sportsbook apps are available in the state, including BetMGM, Caesars, FanDuel, DraftKings, BetRivers, ESPN BET, and Circa Sports.
Latest News & Developments Impacting Bulls Odds: April 2024
Here are the biggest news developments surrounding the Bulls, including the end of last season with a loss to the Miami Heat in Game 2 of the play-in tournament.
- 📅 Nov. 28, 2023: Zach LaVine suffered a foot injury in a 124-97 loss to the Boston Celtics and has not played since then.
- 📅 Nov. 15, 2023: Trade rumors around Zach LaVine's next team heat up.
- 📅 Aug. 21, 2023: Lonzo Ball discloses on Trae Young's podcast that he will sit out the entire season because of his knee injury, which has sidelined him since January of 2022 and has led to three surgeries.
- 📅 July 10, 2023: Chicago signs Bucks free agent guard Jevon Carter, who had been buried behind Jrue Holiday and Grayson Allen on the Bucks depth cart.
- 📅 July 8, 2023: The Bulls re-sign free agent guard Coby White for three years and $36 million.
- 📅 June 22, 2023: The Bulls trade two future second-round picks to the Washington Wizards for the draft rights to Julian Phillips, a 19-year-old forward from Tennessee who projects as an above-average defender but played sparingly for the Vols as a freshman.
- 📅 April 14, 2023: The Bulls allow the Miami Heat to close the game on a 15-1 run in losing 102-91 in the final play-in game to determine the No. 8 seed.
- 📅 Jan. 31, 2022: FanDuel Illinois announces a partnership with the United Center, where the Bulls play home games, to open a sportsbook lounge inside the arena.
- 📅 Dec. 15, 2021: City Council approves an ordinance to allow regulated Chicago sports betting, including wagers on the Bulls.
Bookmark this page for the latest Bulls news and how it impacts their odds.
Chicago Bulls 2023 Schedule: Upcoming Games
Here is a brief look at the upcoming schedule from a betting perspective.
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Bulls (+4) vs Los Angeles Lakers, Wednesday, Dec. 20 A six-game homestand begins with a visit from Los Angeles. The Lakers are fresh off their run as NBA In-Season Tournament champions, and they have lost three of the past four meetings with the Bulls. However, L.A. has won nine of 12 meetings, including an eight-game series winning streak from 2016 to 2021. -
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Bulls vs San Antonio Spurs, Thursday, Dec. 21, Odds TBD Chicago won the first meeting this season 121-112 at San Antonio on Dec. 8 despite 21 points and 20 rebounds from rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama. The Bulls handed the Spurs their 16th straight loss. -
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Bulls vs Cleveland Cavaliers, Saturday, Dec. 23, Odds TBD Surprisingly, this will be the first meeting of the season between the two Central Division foes. Cleveland has won the past four meetings in the series, going 3-0-1 ATS, after losing the previous three. -
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Bulls vs Atlanta Hawks, Tuesday, Dec. 26, Odds TBD Much like the matchup with Cleveland, this will be the first meeting between Atlanta and Chicago this year. The Bulls have enjoyed more success in this series recently, winning five of eight and covering the spread in six of those. As of Dec. 13, the Hawks were 1.5 games ahead in the conference standings.
Key Contributors on the Bulls Roster
My three main contributors for Chicago right now are Coby White, DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic with Zach LaVine currently out due to injury.
White has made up for LaVine's scoring, and the team had looked better defensively without him as well. DeRozan continues to lead the Bulls in scoring with 22.2 points per game while White is up to 17.5 and Vucevic is at 16.7. LaVine was second in scoring at 21 PPG.
Moving forward, these three will be the key contributors barring a trade for another capable double-digit scorer. Vucevic continues to be the team's leading rebounder too with 10.5 boards per game—no other player on the roster averages more than 6.9.
🎮 MORE: How Bulls Stars Rate in NBA 2k24
How & Where to Watch the Bulls
For local Chicagoland and Illinois fans, this is how you can watch the Bulls at home or in person:
How to Watch the Bulls
NBC Sports Chicago televises all Bulls home and away games except when they are on ABC, ESPN or TNT, which will happen only four times this season. Chicago also has three appearances on NBA-TV, and all Bulls games can be viewed on the NBA App or on NBA League Pass.
How to Get Bulls Tickets
The ticket window at the United Center is usually your best bet because the staff can help you find the best available seats. Some season-ticket holders inform the team that their seats can be put up for re-sale, and the team controls those secondary sales.
Ticketmaster is always an option but there are fairly onerous fees, and the secondary ticket market is a matter of buyer's choice when it comes to sites such as TiqIQ or SeatGeek. Different folks have had differing levels of satisfaction with the secondary ticket market sites, which have widely varying fees. The one thing they all have in common: They do not want to sit on unsold tickets, and prices can drop precipitously in the final hour before tipoff.
What's the Bulls Arena?
The Bulls have been playing their games at the United Center on the West Side of Chicago since 1994. Be sure to check out the statue of Michael Jordan on the East Side of the building, closest to downtown.
Pending approval, you will be able to bet with the FanDuel Illinois Sportsbook in person at the United Center.
How Many Championships Have the Bulls Won?
The Bulls have won 6 NBA Finals. Chicago owned the 1990s with a pair of three-peats between 1991-93 and 1996-98 and was led during both runs by arguably the greatest player of all-time in Michael Jordan.
Since then, the Bulls have battled to stay relevant among other legendary pro basketball teams like the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers, but they have yet to get back to the NBA Finals despite some solid efforts from Derrick Rose.
The latest edition of Da Bulls does not look it will end that championship drought anytime soon.
| 💍 NBA Finals Championships | 6 |
| 🏀 NBA Finals Appearances | 6 |
Chicago Bulls FAQs
Yes, the Bulls can make the playoffs. Chicago's playoff chances are shrinking with almost every loss at 21.3% based on +370 odds, with the team having a much better shot early on this season at 42.7% (+134) before its recent struggles.
With Zach LaVine out, Ayo Dosunmu has joined Coby White, DeMar DeRozan, Patrick Williams and Nikola Vucevic in the Bulls starting lineup recently. This may very well be the lineup for the foreseeable future if LaVine is traded.
Jerry Reinsdorf, who also owns the Chicago White Sox of Major League baseball, has been the Chicago Bulls' majority owner since 1995. The former tax attorney for the Internal Revenue Service has a net worth of approximately $1.7 billion.
Yes, the Bills can still win the NBA Finals. However, if the Bulls cannot make the playoffs, they cannot win the NBA Finals. Right now, they are shaky to get to the postseason. That means Chicago's title chances have gone from 0.8% to 0.5%, which is not good.
Author
The IllinoisBet.com Staff is comprised of seasoned sports betting and iGaming experts, writers, analysts, and editors. Our content is based on experience, data, and analytical insights to provide the best reviews of all things iGaming in Illinois.
