MLB Best Bets – Free (Wednesday 5/15)
Josh Gross
Betting on the Chicago Bulls has been a winning strategy for gamblers in Illinois and across the country this NBA season. Arguably the biggest surprise in the entire league, the Bulls posted the best record in the Eastern Conference before the 2022 All-Star break.
Chicago is likely headed for its first playoff appearance in five years. The Bulls are playing like legitimate championship contenders. Will they continue to exceed expectations and reward bettors as the season moves along?
Here’s a look at how to bet on the Bulls and the team’s chances of continuing to reward those who back them.
Can I bet on sports in Illinois?
Sports betting is legal in Illinois. In order to make a wager online or with a sports betting app, users in the state must first register in-person at a casino. As of March 5, 2022, Illinois bettors who don’t have a sportsbook account can register for mobile sports betting remotely.
How to bet on the Chicago Bulls in Illinois
A few legal sportsbooks in Illinois offer the latest odds on the Bulls for a variety of NBA betting markets. BetMGM expects to have mobile sports betting in Illinois in March. Mobile sports betting is live with DraftKings Sportsbook and Caesars Sportsbook.
When in-person registration is no longer required, creating a DraftKings account is simple and requires a few easy steps.
- Download the app or go to the website.
- Click the “Sign Up” tab.
- Enter your username, email address and password.
- Provide the requested information, such as your name, address and phone number.
- Answer security questions to protect your account.
- Deposit to fund your account.
Chicago Bulls odds to win NBA Championship
Despite their record, the Bulls are not considered to be one of the NBA’s top contenders. Chicago has +3000 odds (3.23% implied probability) to win this year’s championship at DraftKings Sportsbook. The Bulls are behind eight other teams, including four in the East.
The Brooklyn Nets and the Phoenix Suns are favored to win the 2022 NBA Finals with +425 odds apiece. Right behind the co-favorites are the Golden State Warriors with +450 championship odds. The Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers both have +700 odds, followed by the Miami Heat at +1200.
The skepticism regarding the Bulls can be explained by their struggles in recent seasons and a lack of star power. No one on Chicago’s roster has ever been an MVP candidate before this season.
Who is the best player on the 2022 Bulls?
DeMar DeRozan has been an MVP-caliber player in his first season with the Bulls. Leading the league in total points scored at the All-Star break, DeRozan is averaging 27.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game. By scoring 45 points in the final game before the break, DeRozan became the first player in NBA history with seven straight games of at least 35 points on 50% shooting.
An All-Star starter, DeRozan’s +3000 MVP odds are the eighth best among all players. Zach LaVine is an All-Star for the second straight year with averages of 24.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.5 assists per contest. Nikola Vucevic is one of three NBA players averaging more than 18.0 points and 11.5 rebounds per game.
Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso have been key offseason additions, particularly on defense. Both guards underwent surgery in mid-January and were given timetables of six to eight weeks. The effectiveness of Ball and Caruso upon their returns will be key to Chicago’s chances of making a deep playoff run.
