Denver Nuggets vs Chicago Bulls Preview: Prediction, odds and more for 2023-24 NBA preseason

Modified Oct 12, 2023 11:48 GMT

Denver Nuggets vs Chicago Bulls preview, prediction and odds for the 2023-24 NBA preseason.

The Denver Nuggets visit the Chicago Bulls at the United Center for their second preseason game of the year. The Nuggets are coming off 115-107 win over the Phoenix Suns without coach Michael Malone, who was mourning the death of his father, Brendan.

Meanwhile, the Bulls are also heading into preseason game number two. They lost to the Milwaukee Bucks 105-102 on Sunday at the Fiserv Forum. Chicago tested Coby White as their starting point guard, with Lonzo Ball expected to miss the entire 2023-24 season.

Thursday's matchup in Chicago is the first set of a home-and-home preseason series between the Nuggets and Bulls. They face each other again at the Ball Arena in Denver on Sunday.

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Game Details

Teams: Denver Nuggets vs Chicago Bulls

Date & Time: Oct. 12, 202; 9 p.m. EST

Venue: United Center in Chicago, Illinois

Nuggets vs Bulls game preview and injury report

The defending champions Nuggets rested Michael Porter Jr. and Christian Braun in their first preseason game against the Suns. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray each played 18 minutes, while Aaron Gordon's stint only lasted 13 minutes.

Fans should expect Porter and Braun to play on Thursday, while Jokic, Murray and Gordon will likely get rested. The only Nuggets player dealing with a long-term injury is Vlatko Cancar, who suffered a torn ACL before the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Meanwhile, the Bulls gave their three best players 17 minutes of action in the loss to Milwaukee. Based on how teams rest their stars this preseason, Nikola Vucevic, Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan could be rested.

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Denver Nuggets vs Chicago Bulls odds and prediction

Moneyline: Nuggets (-135) vs Bulls (-112)

Spread: Nuggets -2.5 (-109) vs Bulls +2.5 (-111)

Total (O/U): Nuggets (o216.5) vs Bulls (u216.5)

The Nuggets are the favorites, as they have the better overall roster and are the defending champions. However, things could change if Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray get some rest and the Bulls play their real starters. Nevertheless, the Nuggets should be the likely winners.