Lakers vs. Bulls prediction, odds, line, spread, time: 2023 NBA picks, Dec. 20 best bets from proven model

United Center will showcase a high-profile NBA matchup on Wednesday night. The Chicago Bulls host the Los Angeles Lakers in a battle between cross-conference rivals. The Lakers are 15-12 overall and 5-9 on the road, with the Bulls bringing an 11-17 record and a 7-7 mark at home. LeBron James (calf) and Anthony Davis (ankle) are listed as questionable for Los Angeles, while Zach LaVine (foot) is out for Chicago.

For this game, SportsLine consensus lists the Lakers as 4-point favorites, and tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. The total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, or the over/under, is 224 in the latest Lakers vs. Bulls odds. Before making any Bulls vs. Lakers picks, you need to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s advanced computer model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters Week 8 of the 2023-24 NBA season on a sizzling 101-52 roll on all top-rated NBA picks dating back to last season, returning well over $4,000. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Bulls vs. Lakers and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Now, here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Lakers vs. Bulls:

• Lakers vs. Bulls spread: Lakers -4
• Lakers vs. Bulls over/under: 224 points
• Lakers vs. Bulls money line: Lakers -182, Bulls +152
• Los Angeles: The Lakers are 5-9 against the spread in road games
• Chicago: The Bulls are 6-7-1 against the spread in home games
• Lakers vs. Bulls picks: See picks at SportsLine

Why the Lakers can cover

The Lakers have enjoyed a productive season, including the league’s first-ever In-Season Tournament title. Los Angeles is also the better team in this matchup on paper, with notable strong points on both sides of the floor. Offensively, the Lakers have been hyper-efficient when it comes to shooting efficiency, making 48.6% of field goal attempts and 56.0% of attempts inside the 3-point arc. Los Angeles is also fantastic at creating free throw attempts, averaging 24.7 per game, and the Lakers are in the top eight of the NBA in points in the paint (55.3 per game), fast break points (16.1 per game), and assists (27.1 per game).

The Lakers are also facing a Bulls defense that has allowed the most 3-pointers (14.4 per game) in the NBA this season, and Los Angeles brings a stingy defense. No team allows fewer free throw attempts (18.8 per game) than Los Angeles, and the Lakers are in the top eight of the league in opponent field goal percentage, opponent 2-point percentage, and defensive rebound rate. The Lakers are giving up fewer than 1.12 points per possession, and the Bulls rank in the bottom five of the NBA in points per game, field goal percentage, 2-point percentage, and assists per game. See which team to pick here.

Why the Bulls can cover

Chicago is led by a dynamic veteran forward in DeMar DeRozan. The six-time All-Star is averaging 22.2 points and 5.2 assists per game this season, and DeRozan is averaging 24.1 points and 6.6 assists per game in December. With DeRozan at the forefront, the Bulls are 6-3 in the last nine games, scoring 1.19 points per possession. Chicago has a robust 35.1% offensive rebound rate in those nine games, and the Bulls are committing the fewest turnovers (11.9 per game) in the league this season. Chicago is facing a Los Angeles defense that is allowing almost 14 3-pointers per game, and the Bulls have clear defensive areas of strength. 

The Bulls land in the top eight of the league in turnovers created (15.0 per game), steals (8.0 per game), and fast break points allowed (12.6 per game). Chicago is No. 2 in the league in points allowed in the paint (43.6 per game), and the Bulls can take advantage of a below-average Los Angeles offense. The Lakers are scoring only 1.12 points per possession this season, and Los Angeles is poor from 3-point range. The Lakers are shooting only 34.8% from 3-point range and making 10.6 3-pointers per game. See which team to pick here.

How to make Bulls vs. Lakers picks

SportsLine’s model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 229 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in almost 60% of simulations. You can only see the model’s picks at SportsLine.

So who wins Lakers vs. Bulls, and which side of the spread hits almost 60% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model on a 101-52 roll on top-rated NBA picks, and find out.