I can’t believe I’m doing this. I’ve said many times that I’m done betting on the Bulls. They have burned me too many times. However, I can’t ignore that the Trail Blazers are approaching full tank mode like they did at the end of last season. Jerami Grant (quadriceps) and Anfernee Simons (foot) have been ruled out, Jusuf Nurkic (knee) is doubtful and Damian Lillard (calf) is questionable. Lillard was actually downgraded to questionable earlier Friday, so I think he doesn’t play. DeMar DeRozan (quadriceps) being out does make things a little dicey, but I think Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic can lead the Bulls to a victory with every game meaning so much to them down the stretch. I’m not messing with the points, but I’ll bite on the moneyline.

Love this spot for Vucevic who is averaging 17.6 PPG this season, however that number jumps up to 24.3 in games that DeMar DeRozan has been inactive. This is a great match up on paper against a Blazers defense that surrenders the most points per game to opposing Centers. Jusuf Nurkic is also Questionable tonight as well which could lead to Drew Eubanks starting. Regardless of who the Blazers start tonight, I think Vucevic is likely to see north of 15 field goal attempts. The Bulls will need all the scoring help they can get. This line appears to be 19.5 on every book that I can see and I am comfortable playing it at that number.

It looks like the Trail Blazers are packing it in. Jerami Grant (quadriceps) and Anfernee Simons (foot) have been ruled out, Jusuf Nurkic (knee) is doubtful and Damian Lillard (calf) is questionable. With Nurkic likely out, that leaves the likes of Drew Eubanks and Trendon Watford to try and slow down Vucevic. Nurkic did not play the last time these two teams faced off and Vucevic came away with 23 points. Add in DeMar DeRozan (quadriceps) being out for the Bulls and Vucevic has a great opportunity to reach the 20-point mark in this rematch.

Talk about the perfect storm for LaVine. Right off the bat, this is a great matchup against a Trail Blazers team that has the fourth-worst defensive rating in the league. When he faced them in February, he scored 36 points over 37 minutes. To further add to LaVine’s scoring upside, DeMar DeRozan (quadriceps) has been ruled out for the Bulls. In a leading role, I expect LaVine to blow by 30 points as he tries to keep the Bulls in the play-in hunt.