Betting tips from AI for New Orleans Pelicans vs Chicago Bulls, 25 November 2025.

This line is daring the public to pay a premium for Chicago’s momentum. The Bulls are priced at 1.50, implying roughly a 66.8% win probability, while the Pelicans come back at 2.75 (about 36.4%). On paper, Chicago’s recent surge and New Orleans’ freefall suggest a comfortable Bulls win. But betting isn’t about who is better in the abstract—it’s about the number, and this number looks a touch rich on the favorite and generous on the home dog.

Yes, Chicago’s offense hums (120.8 ppg, 7th) and the talking heads are bullish—Stephen A. Smith touts the firepower, and Scottie Pippen likes the ball movement and depth. They’ve taken three of four, including a 122-121 squeaker over Portland, and they’re laying around five points in the market. Still, their defense is a turnstile (123.1 ppg allowed, 27th), and they’ve failed to cover their last three as favorites—classic profile of a team that wins but rarely puts opponents away. That profile matters for moneyline value when the price climbs past -200.

The Pelicans are undeniably struggling: 2-15 overall, six straight home losses, league-worst assist rate, clunky 44.2% shooting, and turnover issues. But even broken offenses can look functional against a bottom-three defense, and Jeremiah Fears plus Saddiq Bey have been the steadier hands amid the mess. Add in an edgy Smoothie King Center crowd and the fact that New Orleans has taken the last two head-to-heads, and there’s enough volatility here to elevate the upset probability above what the market is paying.

Tactically, Chicago’s permissive defense gives New Orleans a path: fewer live-ball turnovers, more patience to attack weak points, and a chance to win the shot-quality battle without needing elite shooting. The Bulls’ recent narrow wins suggest late-game variance could decide this—precisely the scenario where a plus-money dog accrues value.

My number makes Chicago the rightful favorite but closer to 60–63% (roughly -150 to -170 fair), which nudges New Orleans into the 37–40% range. Against a break-even of 36.4% at 2.75, that’s a small but real edge on the Pelicans’ moneyline. You won’t feel great fading Chicago’s offense, but over time, taking home dogs in this statistical pocket—poor form, yes, yet facing a leaky defense at a stretched price—wins more than it looks. The bet is New Orleans at 2.75 for the value, even if Chicago is slightly more likely to prevail in an absolute sense.

The Chicago Bulls enter this matchup as significant favorites, with odds at 1.50, and for good reason. They are facing a New Orleans Pelicans team that is in a state of complete collapse. The Pelicans are not just losing; they are fundamentally broken on the court, languishing with a 2-15 record and currently riding a demoralizing six-game home losing streak. The numbers paint a grim picture: they possess the NBA's least efficient offense, averaging a paltry 108.6 points per game on just 44.2% shooting and ranking last in assists. This lack of ball movement and scoring punch suggests a team without identity or cohesion.

The home atmosphere at the Smoothie King Center is described as tense, with fans growing restless and rumors of front-office shakeups swirling. This is not the environment for a struggling team to find its footing. While Jeremiah Fears and Saddiq Bey have been bright spots, their individual efforts are not enough to overcome the systemic issues plaguing the roster, from turnovers to poor long-range shooting.

Conversely, the Chicago Bulls are trending in the opposite direction. They have won three of their last four contests and boast a top-tier offense that puts up an impressive 120.8 points per game, ranking 7th in the league. Esteemed analysts like Stephen A. Smith and Scottie Pippen have both publicly lauded Chicago's offensive prowess and improved depth, expecting them to handle the Pelicans with ease. While the Bulls' defense is a legitimate concern—ranking 27th by allowing 123.1 points per game—it's highly unlikely that the Pelicans' anemic offense has the firepower to exploit this weakness.

While bettors should note that Chicago has failed to cover the spread in its last three games as a favorite, this analysis focuses on the outright winner. The Pelicans' historical success in the last two head-to-head matchups offers a faint glimmer of hope for their fans, but it's a data point that is thoroughly eclipsed by their current abysmal form. Betting against a team in such a deep and public crisis is the logical play here. The Bulls' offensive machine should have no trouble outscoring a Pelicans squad that can't seem to get out of its own way.

This matchup presents a fascinating contrast between two teams heading in opposite directions, with the odds heavily favoring Chicago at 1.50 against New Orleans at 2.75. The Bulls appear to be the logical choice given their recent momentum, winning three of their last four games and boasting a potent offense that averages 120.8 points per game, ranking 7th in the NBA.

The Pelicans' struggles are well-documented and alarming. Their 2-15 record speaks volumes, but the underlying statistics paint an even bleaker picture. Shooting just 44.2% from the field while averaging a league-low assist total suggests fundamental offensive dysfunction. Their six-game home losing streak at the Smoothie King Center indicates they can't even rely on home-court advantage to salvage performances.

However, several factors make this bet more nuanced than the surface statistics suggest. The Bulls' defense is genuinely problematic, allowing 123.1 points per game and ranking 27th in the league. This defensive vulnerability has been exposed repeatedly, and against even a struggling Pelicans offense, it could prove costly. Additionally, Chicago's recent failure to cover the spread in their last three games as favorites raises red flags about their ability to dominate supposedly weaker opponents.

The most intriguing factor is the head-to-head history. Despite their current misery, the Pelicans have won their last two meetings against Chicago. This suggests they may have found a formula that works specifically against the Bulls' style of play. Basketball often comes down to matchup dynamics rather than pure talent disparities.

While the Bulls are clearly the better team on paper and should theoretically handle New Orleans comfortably, the combination of their defensive struggles, recent spread-covering issues, and the Pelicans' historical success in this matchup creates enough uncertainty to make the underdog value appealing. The 2.75 odds on New Orleans offer significant payout potential if they can channel their previous success against Chicago into another upset performance.

As we gear up for this NBA showdown at the Smoothie King Center, the Chicago Bulls are rolling into New Orleans as clear favorites, and for good reason. With odds sitting at 1.50 for the Bulls and 2.75 for the Pelicans, the bookmakers are banking on Chicago's momentum to carry them through. The Bulls have been on a tear, winning three of their last four games, including that nail-biter against Portland. Their offense is firing on all cylinders, averaging a robust 120.8 points per game, which ranks them seventh in the league. That's the kind of firepower that can exploit the Pelicans' defensive weaknesses, especially since New Orleans has been leaking points and struggling with a six-game home losing streak.

Diving deeper, the Pelicans' woes are hard to ignore. Sitting at a dismal 2-15 record, they're dead last in assists and shooting just 44.2% from the field, with an average of only 108.6 points per game. That's not a recipe for success against a high-scoring team like Chicago. NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith nailed it when he highlighted the Bulls' scoring consistency overpowering New Orleans' lapses. Even former star Scottie Pippen is buzzing about Chicago's improved ball movement and depth, predicting an easy handle on this matchup.

That said, it's not all doom and gloom for the Pelicans. They've got a surprising edge in recent head-to-heads, winning the last two against the Bulls, which could spark some upset potential. Players like Jeremiah Fears and Saddiq Bey have been steady, and if they capitalize on Chicago's shaky defense—allowing 123.1 points per game, ranking 27th—the game could get interesting. Plus, the Bulls haven't covered the spread in their last three as favorites, hinting at possible overconfidence or inability to blow out weaker teams.

From a betting perspective, I'm leaning towards the Bulls to win outright. Their offensive edge and the Pelicans' overall inefficiency make this a solid pick, even if the payout at 1.50 isn't massive. But value-wise, it's a safer bet than chasing the 2.75 underdog line, especially with no major injuries on either side. The tense atmosphere in New Orleans might add pressure, but Chicago's form should prevail. If you're betting $1, expect a modest return, but it's about building that bankroll steadily. Keep an eye on the over/under too—Bulls games are high-scoring affairs, so this could eclipse 230 points easily.

Despite the Chicago Bulls being the clear betting favorites at 1.50 odds, this matchup presents a compelling opportunity to back the home underdog, the New Orleans Pelicans, at a very attractive 2.75. The Bulls' high-powered offense, averaging 120.8 points per game, is undeniable, and analysts like Stephen A. Smith are right to highlight it. However, their atrocious defense, which ranks 27th in the league by allowing 123.1 points per game, is a massive red flag that cannot be ignored. This creates a scenario where even a struggling offense like the Pelicans' can find success and keep the game close, or even win outright.

The Pelicans' dismal 2-15 record and six-game home losing streak are rightfully causing panic, but these extreme negative trends often create value on the other side. The public and the odds are heavily influenced by this recent misery, overlooking key contextual factors. Most importantly, the Pelicans have won the last two head-to-head meetings against Chicago, suggesting a specific matchup advantage that persists beyond current form. Playing at home in a potentially volatile Smoothie King Center, where the desperate team might rally to silence restless fans, adds another layer of unpredictability.

Furthermore, the Bulls have shown a recent tendency to play down to their competition, failing to cover the spread in their last three games as favorites. This indicates they may not have the killer instinct to put away a wounded opponent decisively. With no major injuries reported for either side, the Pelicans' most consistent players, Jeremiah Fears and Saddiq Bey, have a clear path to exploit Chicago's leaky defense. While a Bulls victory is the more probable outcome, the value in this bet is overwhelmingly with the Pelicans. The high potential payout at 2.75 more than compensates for the risk, making it the mathematically superior and profitable betting decision in the long run.

The matchup between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Chicago Bulls presents a fascinating clash of contrasting narratives. On one hand, the Pelicans are mired in a deep slump, carrying a six-game home losing streak into this contest. Their struggles have been well-documented, with an offense that ranks dead last in scoring efficiency (44.2% FG) and averages just 108.6 points per game. This inefficiency is compounded by their tendency to commit turnovers and shoot poorly from beyond the arc, problems that could be exacerbated against a Bulls team averaging 2.21 points per game. While Jeremiah Fears and Saddiq Bey have shown flashes of brilliance, they lack the supporting cast needed to consistently challenge stronger opponents.
Chicago enters this game riding high after a narrow but impressive win over Portland, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure. The Bulls’ improved ball movement and depth, highlighted by Scottie Pippen’s recent comments, make them a formidable opponent. Despite some defensive vulnerabilities (allowing 123.1 points per game), their offensive firepower should prove too much for the Pelicans to handle. Stephen A. Smith’s analysis aligns with this assessment, emphasizing Chicago’s scoring consistency as a key factor that could overwhelm New Orleans.
However, it’s worth noting that the Bulls have failed to cover the spread in their last three games as favorites, raising concerns about their ability to dominate weaker teams decisively. This trend might tempt bettors to consider the Pelicans, especially given their surprising victories in the last two head-to-head matchups. Yet, those wins came at a time when New Orleans was performing better than its current iteration. The mounting frustrations among fans, coupled with rumors of potential coaching changes, suggest a lack of cohesion within the Pelicans’ organization.
Betting odds reflect these dynamics, with the Bulls heavily favored at 1.50, while the Pelicans sit at 2.75. While the latter offers tempting value, the risk outweighs the reward given New Orleans’ abysmal form. Furthermore, the atmosphere at the Smoothie King Center is unlikely to provide the usual home-court advantage due to fan dissatisfaction, further tilting the scales in Chicago’s favor.","The Bulls’ superior offense and momentum give them the edge, despite concerns about covering the spread.