OKC Thunder vs. Chicago Bulls Game Preview

The Oklahoma City Thunder are welcoming back Josh Giddey to the Paycom Center on Monday in the midst of a long home stand.

Oct 26, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) shoots against Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images / Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

The Oklahoma City Thunder are taking on the Chicago Bulls inside the Paycom Center in hopes of a season series sweep of their Windy City foes. This game also serves as a homecoming for Giddey as he will potentially play in the Paycom Center for the first time as a visitor.

Oklahoma City is attempting to extend its nine game winning streak while the Bulls have won seven of their last ten games.

Oct 26, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images / Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

ODDS:

The Thunder enter the day as 15-point favorites against the Chicago Bulls, and the total over/under is 239 points according to FanDuel.

KEYS TO THE GAME:

The Oklahoma City Thunder need to clog up the lane against the Chicago Bulls and muddy up the passing windows to force plenty of turnovers and generate easy offense.

The Bulls should not have the offensive firepower to keep pace with the Thunder for the full 48 minutes and establishing their physical defense goes a long way in that, not letting a surprise Bull scorer get comfortable.

Oklahoma City flexed its muscles against the Indiana Pacers on Saturday to be able to blow them out of the water thanks to its hot shooting night complimenting its defense, a trend that needs to continue against Chicago.

If Giddey plays, neither side can afford to get caught up in the emotion of the contest.

RECORDS:

Oklahoma City Thunder (62-12) vs. Chicago Bulls (33-41)

INJURIES:

Oklahoma City Thunder Injury Report

• Chet Holmgren (Hip) Questionable
• Isaiah Hartenstein (Hip) Questionable
• Jaylin Williams (Hip) Questionable
• Aaron Wiggins (Achilles) OUT
• Alex Ducas (Quad) OUT
• Ousmane Dieng (Calf) OUT
• Ajay Mitchell (Toe) OUT
• Nikola Topic (ACL) OUT

Chicago Bulls Injury Report:

• Josh Giddey (Hip) Questionable
• Lonzo Ball (Wrist) Doubtful
• Ayo Dosunmu (Shoulder) OUT
• Kevin Huerter (Thumb) OUT
• Tre Jones (Foot) OUT
• EJ Liddell (Illness) OUT
• Emanuel Miller (GL) OUT
• Jahmir Young (GL) OUT

Check out  later today for an updated injury report.

WHEN:

Monday, March 31, 2025 at 7:00 PM CT

LOCATION:

Paycom Center - Oklahoma City, OK

TV/RADIO:

FanDuel Sports Oklahoma, NBA League Pass, 98.1 FM The Sports Animal

FINAL WORD: 

This game will be all about Josh Giddey's homecoming but the Thunder could also secure another piece of NBA history in this one. With a win, the Oklahoma City Thunder would secure the best cross-conference record in NBA history since the league expanded to the point of two cross-conference games each. Up next, the OKC Thunder take on the Detroit Pistons in the Paycom Center on Wednesday for a Nationally Televised tilt.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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