Clippers vs. Bulls NBA expert prediction and odds for Thursday, March 14 (Why Chicago can cover)

The Los Angeles Clippers have slipped in the Western Conference standings, sitting four games out of the No. 1 seed, heading into Thursday’s matchup with the Chicago Bulls. 

This is the second night of a back-to-back for Chicago, who won in overtime against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday. Chicago is fighting for play-in tournament position in the East, but the team is likely to end up in the No. 9 spot. 

While Wednesday’s win was a huge one for the Bulls, the team also may have lost guard Coby White – a candidate for Most Improved Player – who suffered a hip injury against Indiana. He will undergo further testing in Chicago, certainly putting his status for this game in doubt. 

On the other side, Los Angeles has listed Kawhi Leonard and James Harden as questionable for this game, and their statuses could really sway the line in this one. 

How should we proceed to bet on this game with so much up in the air for the Clips? 

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Here’s a look at the latest odds and my best bet for this matchup: 

Clippers vs. Bulls odds, spread and total

Clippers vs. Bulls how to watch

• Date: Thursday, March 14
• Time: 8:00 p.m. EST
• Venue: United Center
• How to watch (TV): Bally Sports SoCal, Bally Sports San Diego, NBC Sports Chicago
• Clippers record: 41-23
• Bulls record: 32-34

Clippers vs. Bulls injury reports

Clippers injury report

• James Harden – questionable
• Kawhi Leonard – questionable
• Russell Westbrook – out

Bulls injury report 

• Not submitted yet

Clippers vs. Bulls key players to watch

Los Angeles Clippers

Kawhi Leonard: What will Leonard’s role look like in this game? He left the team’s last game with back spasms after playing 20 minutes. Los Angeles has listed him as questionable for this game, but the Clippers will have a hard time winning if he sits out. The team is 3-3 in the six games he’s missed this season. 

Chicago Bulls

DeMar DeRozan: DeRozan put on a show against Indiana, scoring 46 points in 44 minutes while shooting 15-for-24 from the field. The Bulls star wing could be in line for a massive role in this game if White is out, and it’ll likely lead to him handling a lot of playmaking duties as well. Don’t be shocked if DeRozan flirts with a double-double (he had one three games ago). 

Clippers vs. Bulls prediction and pick

The injuries are the story of this game, but I think we’re getting a little value on the Bulls to right the ship as home underdogs. 

Chicago is 8-6-1 against the spread as a home dog this season, but the team has dropped three games ATS in its last four in this spot. 

White’s injury is concerning, but he also has not played his best as of late, shooting 7-for-16, 7-for-16, 4-for-14 and 6-for-17 in his last four games. The Bulls have other guards – mainly Alex Caruso, Jevon Carter and Ayo Dosunmu – that they can rely on to at least fill the White minutes. 

That may lead to the Bulls playing a more defensive style in this game, which I think benefits them against a potentially shorthanded Clippers squad. 

Leonard was limited to just 12 minutes in his last game, and given his injury history, are we sure the Clips don’t play it safe with him? 

If either Leonard or Harden sits, it’s a major blow to a Clippers team already down bench leader Russell Westbrook. 

The Clippers are 12-10 against the spread as road favorites this season, but they are just 5-5 in their last 10 games. 

I don’t love laying the points with the Clips with Leonard’s status up in the air. Chicago can right the ship as a home dog tonight. 

Pick: Bulls +7 (-110)

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

Find Peter Dewey's NBA betting record here (futures included). You can also follow my daily plays on BetStamp here.