The Chicago Bulls (27-38) head to Crypto.com Arena to clash with the surging Los Angeles Lakers (40-25) on Thursday, with the Lakers riding a three-game win streak and looking to defend their home court.
This recent stretch has been powered by the dynamic duo of PG Luka Doncic and SG Austin Reaves. This red-hot Lakers welcome the Bulls to town as they aim to take the third seed in the Western Conference as 11.5-point favorites. Tip-off for this prime-time showdown is at 10:30 p.m. ET.
Below, we’ll break down our Bulls vs. Lakers prediction and picks for Thursday night’s game. Make your picks on PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks and earn real money if you’re right, including on game winners, spreads, and totals!
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Bulls vs. Lakers Prediction, Spread, Over/Under
Los Angeles' offense has suddenly found its spark during their winning streak, averaging 119.3 PPG, including a 110-97 victory over the New York Knicks.
During the Lakers’ recent wins, they’ve succeeded without star F LeBron James, who’s been dealing with injury. Doncic (36.7 PPG) and Reaves (25.0 PPG) have stepped up big-time during his absence.
As for the Bulls, they've struggled for the majority of the season and head to Los Angeles with just a 3-7 record in their last 10 games. F Matas Buzelis and PG Josh Giddey have significantly ramped up their usage amid the injuries that have plagued the lineup.
Buzelis' average of 24.0 PPG — including a 41-point outing in a 130-124 victory over Golden State — in his previous six outings leads all Bulls. Giddey is averaging 17.0, 10.8 rebounds, and 11.0 assists over his last five games, keeping Chicago’s competitive fire alive.
Bulls vs. Lakers Spread, Over/Under
The Bulls enter this matchup as 11.5-point road underdogs, returning a 4.76x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.
The Lakers are home favorites with a 1.16x payout if they win, via PrizePicks Team Picks, where you can earn money with your picks in 35 states.
- Spread: Los Angeles Lakers -11.5
- Over/Under: 235.5
- Game Winner Payout: Bulls 4.76x | Lakers 1.16x
Team Picks data is live at the time of writing and is subject to change.
Bulls vs. Lakers Injury Report
Let’s dive into the full Bulls vs. Lakers injury report for Thursday, via NBA.com.
Chicago Bulls Injury Report
- F Matas Buzelis (ankle): Probable
- PG Josh Giddey (ankle): Probable
- F Isaac Okoro (knee): Questionable
- G Collin Sexton (fibula): Questionable
- G Anfernee Simons (wrist): OUT
- C-PF Jalen Smith (calf): Probable
- F Patrick Williams (ankle): Questionable
- C-PF Guerschon Yabusele (foot): Questionable
Los Angeles Lakers Injury Report
- C Jaxson Hayes (back): Probable
- F LeBron James (hip, foot): Questionable
- C-PF Maxi Kleber (back): Questionable
- G Marcus Smart (hip): Doubtful
Bulls vs. Lakers Prediction on Spread – 3/12/26
Here are some stats to know to help you make your Bulls vs. Lakers spread prediction on Thursday, March 12.
- Los Angeles enters Thursday at 36-29-0 against the spread (55.4%), while Chicago sits at 30-35-0 ATS (46.2%).
- The Lakers have been reliable at home, going 19-14-0 ATS at Crypto.com Arena.
- Los Angeles ranks eighth in the NBA in offensive rating (116.6), presenting a tough test for a Chicago defense allowing 119.9 PPG.
- Los Angeles won the only meeting between the two teams (129-118) back on January 26 as a 1.5-point road favorite and looks for the series sweep in tonight’s matchup.
Bulls vs. Lakers Picks for PrizePicks Today
Here are two top Bulls vs. Lakers picks to target for Thursday, March 12 on PrizePicks. Player stat projections via PrizePicks are headlined by PG Luka Doncic and F LeBron James.
Lakers PG Luka Doncic vs. Bulls Projection: 31.5 Points
- Doncic currently leads the NBA in scoring with a dominant 32.5 PPG.
- Riding a massive offensive hot streak into Thursday's matchup, he has eclipsed his 31.5-point projection in three straight outings to average an absurd 36.7 PPG during that span.
- Doncic completely dictates the flow of the Lakers’ offense, boasting a staggering 37.5% usage rate while taking over 22 field goal attempts and over 10 3-pointers per contest.
- Chicago has allowed opposing PGs to score 24.0 PPG; Doncic dropped 46 points on 15-for-25 (60%) shooting from the floor against them last time.
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Lakers F LeBron James vs. Bulls Projection: 24 Pts + Rebs
- James averages a robust combined 27 points and rebounds per game while continuing to perform as the Lakers’ frontcourt anchor.
- “King James" has eclipsed tonight’s projection in five out of his last 10 games.
- James remains a vital two-way engine for Los Angeles, maintaining a 28.1% usage rate.
- Chicago's undersized frontcourt has just a 49.7% total rebound percentage, also allowing PFs to score the most points (26.4 PPG) and snag the eighth-most rebounds (10.1 RPG).
Make Bulls vs. Lakers Picks on PrizePicks
Bulls vs. Lakers Sunday NBA picks aren’t the only avenue hoops fans have to get in on the daily action.
You can make your picks on PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks and earn real money. Just pick players, predict More or Less on their projected stats, and cash in if you’re correct. With Team Picks, make predictions on winners, spreads, and over/unders, now available in 35 states.
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