Cavs vs. Bulls forecast, odds, pick

The NBA returns to action on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 with a two-game slate, this showdown coming in the Eastern Conference. The Cleveland Cavaliers (15-12) will visit Chicago Bulls (10-15) for the second meeting between these two teams, Cleveland leads 1-0. Check out ours NBA odds series for Carolina-Montague prediction and selection.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are seventh in the Eastern Conference standings after their latest loss to the Charlotte Hornets 119-111 in overtime. They’ve alternated between wins and losses in their last seven to go 3-4, but are among the betting favorites and look to stay hot against the Bulls.

The Chicago Bulls are eleventh in the East, and last they lost to the New Orleans Pelicans with 114-104. They fell into a serious rut ​​with a 2-8 record over their last 10 games, erasing a solid start to the season. They will look to get back on track with a win here.

NBA odds thanks to DraftKings

Cavs vs. Bulls Odds

Cleveland Cavaliers: -5.5 (-105)

Chicago Bulls: +5.5 (-115)

Over: 242.5 (-108)

Under: 242.5 (-112)

Cavs vs. Bulls Key Injuries

Cleveland: Sam Merrill, OUT (hand) / Evan MobleyOUT (calf) / Larry Nance Jr., OUT (calf) / Max Struss, OUT (foot)

Chicago: Ayo Dosunmu, QUESTIONABLE (thumb) / Noah Esenge, OUT (shoulder)

Cavs vs. Bulls Betting Trends

• The Chicago Bulls are 6-6 at home this season. The Cleveland Cavaliers are 6-5 on the road.
• The Cavaliers are 14-10 betting favorites. The Bulls are 5-6 as underdogs.
• Bulls are 11-4 ATS overall, 6-6 ATS at home. The Cavaliers are 8-19 ATS overall, 4-7 ATS on the road.
• Bulls are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games. Cavaliers are 3-7 ATS in their last 10.
• The total has gone LESS in 10 of Cleveland’s last 14 games.
• The total has gone LESS in four of Chicago’s last 5 games.

Keys to Cavs vs. Bulls Matchup

The first time these two teams met, Evan Mobley led the Cavs in rebounds (8) and Sam Merrill led in assists (8) during Cleveland’s 128-122 victory. Both Merrill and Mobley will be out for this game as Cleveland will be missing two of its most critical ball-distributing and rebounding players on both ends of the floor. Donovan Mitchell has been known to step up in situations without Mobley, and with his backup Merrill as well, Mitchell could see extended minutes during this game.

The Chicago Bulls, who started the season 6-1, looked like a shell of themselves over the last 10 games. Coby White returning to the lineup has certainly given them a boost in the scoring department as he has scored 20+ points in eight of his nine games this season. Josh Giddei continues to be the lifeblood of this offense, averaging a near triple-double line of 20.1p/9.3r/8.8a on the season. He is fourth in the NBA in APG, so he does a great job of finding teammates, but their next leading scorer is Nikola Vucevic at 15.6 PPG.

With Ayo Dosunmu day to day with a nagging injury, he is their next leading scorer at 15.2 PPG and is questionable to play in this game. The Chicago Bulls have had trouble scoring this season, especially against strong defensive teams like the Cavaliers. The Cavaliers will be without their best defender in Mobley, however, so that could provide some relief for the Bulls as they try to get out of their shooting slump.

However, the Cavaliers are a much deeper team and will see more sustained scoring off the bench behind players like Dean Wade and Thomas Bryant. This is an especially important matchup for Lonzo Ball against his former team, so expect plenty of field goal attempts from him in this game. Given how the first meeting went, the Cavs should have the upper hand here despite their injured lineup.

Cavs vs. Bulls Prediction and Selection

Although the Chicago Bulls haven’t been playing well lately, they could get a gift from an injured Cavaliers team that hasn’t been playing its best basketball either. Sam Merrill and Evan Mobley are too critical injuries for the Cavs, so it will primarily be on the shoulders of Donovan Mitchell for their team to win.

However, the Bulls could have the advantage here as a taller squad and with Kobe White’s points this season, combined with the playmaking of Josh Giddy, the Bulls may have the best chance of breaking out of the slump during this matchup. Furthermore, Nikola Vucevic should see an easier night against Dean Wade instead of Evan Mobley, so don’t be surprised if he gets a big performance as well.

For our final prediction, we’ll play the Chicago Bulls to cover the spread during this game in what should be a low-scoring affair.

Final Cavs-Bulls Prediction & Pick: Chicago Bulls +5.5 (-115); UNDER 242.5 (-112)