NBA 2025-2026: Chicago Bulls vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction
Chicago Bulls
Home Team
57.0%
120.9 pts
VS
New Orleans Pelicans
Away Team
43.0%
116.2 pts
Key Prediction Insights
The Chicago Bulls are predicted to take the win against the New Orleans Pelicans, with a probability of 57.0%. The anticipated scoreline suggests Chicago might edge out New Orleans with a predicted tally of 120.9 to 116.2. The Bulls are expected to start with Tre Jones, Ayo Dosunmu, Isaac Okoro, Matas Buzelis, and Nikola Vučević. Meanwhile, the Pelicans will likely field Jeremiah Fears, Saddiq Bey, Trey Murphy III, Zion Williamson, and Derik Queen.
Game Analysis
The Chicago Bulls enter this matchup following a mixed bag of recent results. They've secured one win against the Philadelphia 76ers, scoring 109 points, but have struggled against the Timberwolves and Bucks, suffering losses with significant point differentials. This suggests a team possibly grappling with consistency. In contrast, the New Orleans Pelicans are on a three-game losing streak, with close games against the Knicks and Suns that indicate they can compete but are struggling to close out games effectively.
Looking at the expected starting five, Chicago's Tre Jones stands out with an impressive offensive rating of 128.5, supported by a solid contribution from Vučević's average points of 16.06 per game. On the other hand, New Orleans boasts the high-scoring Zion Williamson, averaging 22.27 points, and Trey Murphy III with an offensive rating of 124.0. However, the Pelicans' defensive lapses, as indicated by defensive ratings over 120 for most starters, could be a crucial weakness against the Bulls' offensive lineup.
Final Prediction
The Chicago Bulls have a slight edge due to their offensive depth and the Pelicans' recent inability to secure wins, despite individual scoring prowess. Key to watch will be how Chicago exploits New Orleans' defensive vulnerabilities, particularly if Vučević and Jones can maintain their offensive efficiency to capitalize on the Pelicans' defensive gaps.