Portland Trail Blazers vs Chicago Bulls Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 05/01/2021, 10:41  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 05/01/2021 at 11:42 in NBA Prediction

The Portland Trail Blazers have had a mixed start to the new season with three wins and three losses. That's taken them to second in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference. They host the Chicago Bulls who are 3-4 in the Eastern Conference Central Division. The Trail Blazers reached the play-offs last season but lost 4-1 in the first round to eventual winners LA Lakers. The new season began with a loss to Utah Jazz (who lead their division) but the next two games were won, including some revenge on the Lakers. Defeat to the Clippers followed and since then they have won against and been beaten by the Golden State Warriors.  The defeat was almost solely down to the magic of Stephen Curry who sored 62 points against them. For Portland, Damian Lillard is in good form though, top scoring for them in three of the last four matches.

Their opponents haven't made such a good start with four defeats in seven games. They only have the Detroit Pistons below them in the Central Division and trail leaders the Indiana Pacers by two wins. Overall, they are 11th in the Eastern Conference (Portland are 7th in the Western Conference). The season got off to the worst possible start with three straight defeats with the first two lost by an aggregate of 39 points. The next was closer though as the Bulls only lost by a single point to Golden State. All three losses were on home territory and has left them playing catch-up. They have recovered though with three wins in the next four. The most recent game for the Bulls saw them beat the Dallas Mavericks with Zach LeVine again top scoring for them. Chicago are a young side so this season may be a transitional one for them. They struggle defensively though and have some key players out for this game. All of which can help the Trail Blazers to another win with them leading at both half and full time.