Chicago BullsBulls
Mon, Nov 167:00 PMETCleveland
Cleveland CavaliersCavaliers
CHI4.00CLE1.33via Polymarket

Chicago Bulls vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction, Picks and Odds for November 16

Updated Nov 15, with the latest lineups and odds

By · Published

CLE

Statz pick

Cleveland Cavaliers to win

We give the Cleveland Cavaliers a 75% chance, against 25% for the Chicago Bulls. See the full projection →

75%
CLE to win
Polymarket1.33

The model favours the Cleveland Cavaliers at home with a 75% win probability and a projected margin of 9.2 points over the Chicago Bulls. No bookmaker has posted a line yet, so there is no market comparison. The injury that matters most is Cleveland's long list of absences, led by Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley.

The Chicago Bulls visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday 16 November, with tip at 7:00 PM ET. The model makes Cleveland the favourite at 75% to win, with a projected home margin of 9.2 points. No bookmaker has posted a line yet, so there is no market number to set against it.

How the teams arrive

Cleveland are 4-6 over their last 10 and have alternated results: W L W L L W L L W L. They beat Dallas 127-117 at home on 14 November, after a 121-133 loss at Miami. The best result of the stretch was a 136-111 win at Milwaukee. They average 116.6 points for and 115.1 against over the 10 games.

Chicago are 2-8 over their last 10, and the sequence is W W L L L L L L L L. The latest two were wins, 117-106 at Minnesota and 125-117 against Atlanta. Before that came eight straight losses, including 105-135 at New York and 99-134 at Boston. The Bulls average 115.1 points for but concede 125.1, and that defensive gap is the story of their season so far.

Team news and lineups

Cleveland's injury report is long. Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen and Peyton Watson were all ruled out for Saturday's game against Dallas. The reports list Monday against Chicago as the next chance to play for Mobley and Watson. Sam Merrill is out with an elbow issue. Nae'Qwan Tomlin is out for several weeks with a back stress reaction. Check the status of each before tip, because the reports predate this game.

If the core group is missing again, minutes shift to the younger guards and depth bigs. Tyrese Proctor, Craig Porter and Meleek Thomas take the backcourt load, Thomas Bryant steps into a larger role in the frontcourt, and Jaylon Tyson and Mario Hezonja pick up wing minutes.

Chicago have their own gaps up front. Nicolas Claxton (hamstring), Jalen Smith (finger) and Tobe Awaka (back) were all out on Saturday, with Monday named as the aim to return for Claxton and Awaka. If they miss out, Zach Collins and Orlando Robinson handle most of the minutes at center. Caleb Wilson is out with a fractured right hand, with a return date of 13 December. That puts more pressure on Josh Giddey, while Tre Jones and Isaac Okoro gain minutes.

Expected starting fives

Projected minutes

Depth charts and the full rotations →

Players to watch

Meleek Thomas

Meleek Thomas is projected for 10.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.9 threes. He leads Cleveland's projected scoring in a depleted group, and his shot volume matters most.

Jaylon Tyson

Jaylon Tyson is projected for 9.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists. He gives Cleveland wing size and a steady secondary scoring option.

Tyrese Proctor

Tyrese Proctor is projected for 8.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 threes. With the main guards in doubt, he is likely to run the offence.

Norman Powell

Norman Powell is projected for 19.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.4 threes. He is the top scorer on either side, and Chicago lean on him for shot creation.

Matas Buzelis

Matas Buzelis is projected for 14.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.1 threes. He is the second scoring option, and his rebounding matters with Chicago's bigs short.

Josh Giddey

Josh Giddey is projected for 12.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 8.4 assists. He is the creator for the Bulls, and his playmaking drives Chicago's offence.

Statz prediction

The model takes the Cleveland Cavaliers. It gives them a 75% win probability and a line of -9.2, with Chicago at +9.2. It projects 125.3 points for Cleveland and 116.1 for Chicago, a total of 241.4.

No bookmaker has posted a spread, total or moneyline yet, so there is no model-versus-market comparison to make. The market is the missing piece. Until a total is posted, there is no total lean to give. Both teams concede plenty of points, which is why the projected total is high, but that is a read of the model and not a bet against a price.

Statz pick: Cleveland Cavaliers, model line -9.2, 75% win probability.

Lines move before tip, and the injury news on both sides could change the picture, so check NBA odds once a line is posted.

CHI @ CLE questions

Who does the model favour in Bulls at Cavaliers?
The model favours the Cleveland Cavaliers at 75% to win, with the Chicago Bulls at 25%. It projects Cleveland to win by 9.2 points, a model line of -9.2 at home on Monday 16 November.
What is the projected score and total?
The model projects 125.3 points for the Cleveland Cavaliers and 116.1 for the Chicago Bulls, for a projected total of 241.4. No bookmaker has posted a total yet, so there is no market number to compare it with.
What time is Bulls vs Cavaliers?
Tip is at 7:00 PM ET on Monday 16 November, with the game played in Cleveland. The Cleveland Cavaliers are the home side and the Chicago Bulls are the visitors in this matchup.
Which injuries matter most for Cleveland?
Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen and Peyton Watson were all ruled out for Saturday's game. Monday was named as the next chance to play for Mobley and Watson, so confirm each status before tip.
How have the Bulls played recently?
Chicago are 2-8 over their last 10. They won 117-106 at Minnesota and 125-117 against Atlanta, after eight straight losses. They average 115.1 points for and concede 125.1 over that run.
Is there a market line for this game?
No. No bookmaker has posted a line for Bulls at Cavaliers yet, so there is no spread, total or moneyline to quote. The model line is Cleveland -9.2 with a projected total of 241.4.

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Quick answers3 questions

Who is favoured, Chicago Bulls or Cleveland Cavaliers?

The Statz model favours the Cleveland Cavaliers with a 75% win probability, leaving the Chicago Bulls at 25%. Over their last five games the Cleveland Cavaliers are 2-3 and the Chicago Bulls are 2-3. The model's number comes from team-first projections that update through the day, so it can move before tip-off.

What is the spread and total for Chicago Bulls at Cleveland Cavaliers?

No spread or total is posted yet for Chicago Bulls at Cleveland Cavaliers; the odds board fills in once the books price the game. Lines move with injury news and money, so the odds board on this page carries the latest price. Alternative spreads and totals, first-quarter and first-half lines sit in the same board where the book offers them.

Which player props stand out for Chicago Bulls at Cleveland Cavaliers?

For Chicago Bulls at Cleveland Cavaliers, the model projects Meleek Thomas for 10.3 points and Jaylon Tyson for 9.0 points for the Cleveland Cavaliers. For the Chicago Bulls it projects Norman Powell for 19.4 points and Matas Buzelis for 14.7 points.