Plenty of teams backing up after their NBA Cup games on Saturday, which adds speculation to starting lineups and players being rested. The Chicago Bulls were embarrassed against the Heat on Saturday with their season crashing down to earth after starting so strong - but surely they respond against the Wizards.
Washington Wizards @ Chicago Bulls
The Bulls still have a positive record after 15 games at 8-7 but they have really come back down to earth after their 5-1 start to the season.
As for the Wizards, it’s just another year where they’re the worst team in the NBA starting the season 1-14, and they’re not even getting close.
The Bulls should bounce back - but historically if there’s a team that could lose the unloseable such as this game, it is Chicago.
LEG 1 - Kyshawn George 15+ Points
Not a great game against the Raptors, but the second-year pro can be excused as the entire team were terrible.
Prior to this game though, George averaged 17.4 points per game, hitting 15+ points in 62% of his games.
This will be a high-scoring affair so expect George to score points in this.
LEG 2 - Ayo Dosunmu 10+ Points
Always been a good scorer coming off the bench for the Bulls, and this season is no different.
Dosunmu is averaging 16.2 points per game this season - one of the better bench scorers in the NBA, and enters this game off the back of 23 points against the Heat.
With Buzelis and Terry likely out for the Bulls, this will shorten Chicago’s rotations so we’ll see plenty of Dosunmu in this one.
LEG 3 - Nikola Vucevic 2+ 3PM
Has produced an absolute stinker on Saturday against the Heat with six points, off the back of a monster game against the Trail Blazers including the game winner.
Vucevic averages 2 triples a game this season, but it’s his opponent in this that fills me with confidence.
The Wizards concede triples to centres 49% above average this season, so I think we’ll see plenty of looks for Vuc in this.
SAME GAME MULTI
George 15+ Points /Dosunmu 10+ Points / Vucevic 2+ 3PM = $3.30
VALUE BET
Jalen Smith 15+ Points @ $5.50
Been a really good back-up for the Bulls this season averaging 10 points per game including 14 last start against the Heat.
Smith has only hit 15+ on three occasions this season, but this is a perfect look for the big man against a Wizards team that is the easiest in the NBA for centres to score against at 30% above average.
I’m expecting a blowout in this, so Smith could play north of 20 minutes which gives him a great look at 15+ at a price.
