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Los Angeles Lakers: Best betting picks vs. Chicago Bulls

By Jason Reed

PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 05: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls dribbles around Robert Covington #23 of the Portland Trail Blazers in the fourth quarter at Moda Center on January 05, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 05: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls dribbles around Robert Covington #23 of the Portland Trail Blazers in the fourth quarter at Moda Center on January 05, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Lakers take on the Chicago Bulls on Friday night.

The Los Angeles Lakers are halfway through their second back-to-back of the season in their return home from a four-game road trip. The Lakers played an ugly game and lost to the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night and host the Chicago Bulls on Friday night.

The Bulls have not had a cakewalk schedule, either. The Bulls had a back-to-back earlier in the week against the Portland Trail Blazers and Sacramento Kings. In fact, this is the third game in four days for the Bulls, all at different venues across the Pacific coast.

While back-to-backs are never good for the Lakers when their superstar is 36 years old, the Bulls probably feel more taxed from the travel and workload of this week.

Those kinds of things definitely factor into the betting lines and my betting picks. According to the Action Network, the Lakers are anywhere from 8.5-point to 9.5-point favorites, so we will stick right in the middle at nine. The most common point total is 221.5.

The Lakers had a really ugly showing on Thursday night and kept me from going 2-0 on the game. Not only did the Lakers not cover -5.5, but they outright lost by nine points. Luckily, I took over 222.5 and the two teams combined for 227, so that is promising. My record on the year is now 8-6.

It may not have worked last night, but it will work on Friday. I feel confident in the Los Angeles Lakers tonight.

My picks: Los Angeles Lakers -9. over 221.5 (Final score: Lakers 123, Bulls 113)

I have the Lakers covering the nine-point spread by one point in a 123-113 victory. The Bulls have a really bad defense and while the offense has not been great this year for the Lakers, the Bulls are simply outmatched talent-wise and do not have the defensive presence to overcome that.

The Lakers have not been as good defensively, either, and I think this is going to be a big game for Zach LaVine against the defending champions. I see him and Anthony Davis going toe-to-toe in this one, both scoring over 30 points to lead their teams.

At the end of the day, it will be a big run at the start of the third quarter that makes the difference for the Lakers and leads to the 10-point victory. The Lakers will get back on track before heading to Houston for two consecutive games against the Rockets.

Next. Debunking Lakers' trade ideas. dark

What bets are you taking in this one? Let me know in the comments down below.

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