Best NBA prop bets today for Bulls vs. Blazers (Should bettors fade Damian Lillard?)

The Portland Trail Blazers are almost out of the mix for the pay-in tournament in the Western Conference, sitting 3.5 games back of the No. 10 seed with just nine games to play.

If they want any chance, pulling off a home upset over the Chicago Bulls on Friday night is a good way to start. Portland is an underdog in this game with Anfernee Simons and Jerami Grant already ruled out, but that gives us an interesting look into the prop market.

Here’s how I’m betting on Damian Lillard and Nikola Vucevic on Friday night:

Bet365

New Users: Bet $1 on Any NBA Game, Get $365 in Bonus Bets – Guaranteed! ($10 Deposit Required)

BetRivers

Get a Second Chance Bet up to $500 if your First Bet loses!

$10 first wager required using code SPORTS. New customers only. 21+ and present in AZ, CO, CT, IA, IL, IN, LA, MI, NJ, PA, OH, VA, and WV. If your first wager loses, receive a bonus bet equal to your stake up to $500. Rewards issued as non-withdrawable bonus bets or site credits within 24 hours of qualifying wager settling and expire 14 days from issuance. Subject to change and qualification and eligibility requirements and other restrictions apply. See full terms at betrivers.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (IL//NJ/OH/PA/WV), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/LA), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-BETS-OFF or visit yourlifeiowa.org/gambling (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT or text INGAMB to 53342 (IN), 1-800-270-7117 (MI), or text 1-888-532-3500 (VA).

Read more

Bulls vs. Blazers best NBA prop bets

• Damian Lillard UNDER 35.5 Points
• Nikola Vucevic UNDER 3.5 Assists

Caesars

Get Your First Bet on Caesars up to $1,250 When You Bet Any NBA Game!

21+ only. Offer valid and must be physically present in AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MI, NJ, NY, PA, TN, VA, WV & WY only. New users and first $10+ wager only. Must register with eligible promo code. Bet amount of qualifying wager returned only if wager is settled as a loss. Maximum bet credit $1,250; must be used within 14 days of receipt. Tier Credits and Reward Credits will be added to account within 7 days after qualifying wager settles. Void where prohibited. Know When To Stop Before You Start® Gambling Problem? AZ: Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP; CO, WY, KS (Affiliated with Kansas Crossing Casino): Call 1-800-522-4700; IN: Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT; IA: Call 1-800-BETSOFF; LA: Call 1-877-770-STOP (licensed through Horseshoe Bossier City and Harrah’s New Orleans); MI: Call 1-800-270-7117; IL, NJ, VA, WV, PA (Affiliated with Harrah’s Philadelphia): If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or WV: visit 1800gambler.net. TN: Call or text TN REDLINE at 1-800-889-9789. ©2022, Caesars Entertainment. Gambling problem? Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369). See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Read More

Read more

Damian Lillard UNDER 35.5 Points

Lillard has been on a scoring rampage this season, but this number is a little too high for my liking on Friday.

In Lillard’s last 11 games since scoring 71 points against the Houston Rockets, he’s cleared this total just four times, shooting 42.5 percent from the field and 32.5 percent from 3.

With Simons and Grant out, the Bulls can blitz Lillard and dare others to beat them. Patrick Beverley will likely get the start on Lillard, and he’s held Dame to less than 36 points in 25 of their 27 career matchups against each other.

This number is simply too high for Dame facing the NBA’s No. 5 defense.

Nikola Vucevic UNDER 3.5 Assists

Nikola Vucevic has been a willing passer this season, but he’s picked up four or more assists in just three of his last 10 games.

The Blazers have listed Jusuf Nurkic as questionable for this game, which could be a good sign for Vucevic’s scoring, which may be needed with DeMar DeRozan also listed as questionable for Chicago.

Vuc is averaging 3.3 assists per game this season, so I’m not sold on him soaring past this number after several games that he’s fallen short.

—

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.