The Cleveland Cavaliers (42-27) and Chicago Bulls (28-41) will square off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET from the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The game will broadcast live on CHSN.
The Cavaliers are 12.5-point favorites over the Bulls on the spread (Cavaliers -12.5), with the over/under set at 241.5 total points. Cleveland is a -800 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Chicago is +550 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Cavaliers vs. Bulls predictions and NBA picks for Thursday, March 19.
Cavaliers vs Bulls Prediction, Pick
- Cavaliers vs Bulls pick: Collin Sexton Over 13.5 Points (-110)
My Bulls vs, Cavaliers best bet is on Collin Sexton to score over 13.5 points. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Cavaliers vs Bulls Odds
| Cavaliers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-12.5 -118 | 241.5 -105o / -115u | -800 |
| Bulls Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+12.5 -102 | 241.5 -105o / -115u | +550 |
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Cavaliers vs Bulls NBA Preview
Chicago hasn't finished a month with a record better than .500 since it kicked off 2025-26 with a 5-0 record in October, but hasn't looked too bad in March.
The Bulls have gone 4-5 straight up this month with wins against the Suns and Warriors, but Cleveland is a cut above those teams. Chicago has its work cut out for it ahead of this matchup.
Josh Giddey is stuffing the stat sheet and is on pace to average a triple-double (17.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 10.9 assists per game) on efficient shooting splits in March, but his production hasn't translated to team success.
Two of his teammates stand out as impactful scorers who need to perform for the Bulls to stay in the hunt.
Matas Buzelis and Collin Sexton are averaging more than 22.0 points per game in March.
Sexton has been the more efficient player in that duo and recently returned from a four-game layoff. His return to the starting lineup could give Chicago a better shot at matching the NBA's third-highest scoring offense.
The Cavaliers have thrived for the most part since they traded Darius Garland for James Harden, but they've been missing their starting center during their recent slide.
Cleveland has gone 3-3 straight up in its previous six games, and Jarrett Allen is set to miss his seventh consecutive contest. The Texas product's scoring out of the pick-and-roll and rim protection will be sorely missed.
Cleveland has scored 119.3 points per game over its previous six outings without Allen, though. That's a little better than its season average of 119.1 points.
Evan Mobley's surge has a lot to do with that, and bettors should expect him to maintain his offensive aggression in what's been his best scoring and offensive rebounding month so far this year.
Anfernee Simons (wrist), Jaden Ivey (knee), and Isaac Okoro (knee) have been ruled out for Chicago. Allen (knee), Craig Porter Jr. (groin), and Tyrese Proctor (quadriceps) have been ruled out for Cleveland.
Cavaliers vs Bulls Predictions, Betting Analysis
Sexton came off the bench in his first game back from injury in his last outing, but still racked up points in a hurry.
The score-first combo guard tallied 14 points in 18 minutes while shooting 4-for-7 from the field and 6-for-8 from the free throw line. He's averaged 22.8 points on 59.1% shooting through five contests in March.
Sexton is averaging 16.0 points per game through 13 appearances with Chicago, despite making just three starts with the team.
A blowout loss for the Bulls bodes well for Sexton's late-game involvement, so I like this line.
Pick: Collin Sexton Over 13.5 Points (-110)
