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Cavaliers vs. Bulls prediction: Why Cleveland is favored to win Thursday's NBA matchup [3/19/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Ryan Leaver, Senior Sports and Betting Editor
Get Cleveland Cavaliers vs Chicago Bulls predictions for NBA Thursday.
NBA action continues on Thursday at 8:00 PM ET as the favored Cleveland Cavaliers square off with the Chicago Bulls at United Center.
Based on the latest simulations and today’s injury news, Dimers' advanced NBA model predicts the Cavaliers as the most likely winner of the Cavaliers vs. Bulls game.
This prediction follows the latest NBA Injury Report, which suggests the Bulls lineup will feature stars like Matas Buzelis, Josh Giddey and Tre Jones, while the Cavaliers will be led by James Harden, Evan Mobley and Jaylon Tyson.
This article offers an expanded analysis of Thursday's matchup, including an expanded look at the predicted score, best bets and player prop picks.
Cavs vs. Bulls prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using trusted machine learning and data analysis, we have simulated the result of Thursday's NBA game between the Cavaliers and Bulls 10,000 times as part of our NBA predictions coverage.
Our famous predictive model gives the Cavaliers a 76% chance of beating the Bulls. Our predicted final score has the Cavaliers winning 121-113.
According to our model, the Bulls (+9.5) have a 55% chance of covering the spread, while the over/under total of 236.5 points has a 53% chance of staying under.
Cavaliers vs. Bulls odds
We have sourced the best NBA odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Cavaliers | Bulls |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | -9.5 (-110) | +9.5 (-105) |
| Moneyline | -460 | +375 |
| Total | o236.5 (-108) | u236.5 (-110) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Cavaliers vs. Bulls picks and best bet
After matching our probabilities against the best available odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
| Bet Type | Pick | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Bulls +9.5 | -105 |
| Moneyline | Bulls | +375 |
| Total | Under 236.5 | -110 |
According to our best NBA bets for Thursday, the top play to make on this game is Bulls +9.5 at the spread.
These picks are based on our probabilities matched against the implied probabilities from the sportsbook odds.
Cavaliers vs. Bulls player props
Betting on Cavaliers vs. Bulls NBA player props? We have crunched the numbers to project how each team's leading players will perform at United Center.
James Harden is expected to lead the Cavaliers with 24 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists, while Matas Buzelis is projected to have 19 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists for the Bulls.
Check out our NBA player projections for a full range of projected box scores, including points, assists, rebounds and today's NBA first basket picks.
Cavaliers prediction
Our model's projected player stats for the Cavaliers are:
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | 3PM | DFS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Harden | 24 | 5 | 9 | 3 | 50 |
| Evan Mobley | 21 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 45 |
| Jaylon Tyson | 14 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 29 |
| Sam Merrill | 13 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 24 |
| Dennis Schroder | 11 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 26 |
Bulls prediction
Projected points, rebounds, assists and three-pointers made for the Bulls:
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | 3PM | DFS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matas Buzelis | 19 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 38 |
| Josh Giddey | 18 | 9 | 9 | 2 | 49 |
| Tre Jones | 13 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 29 |
| Collin Sexton | 13 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 24 |
| Leonard Miller | 12 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 25 |
Cavs vs. Bulls game-day updates and essential details
Thursday's matchup between the Bulls and Cavaliers at United Center is scheduled to start at 8:00 PM ET.
- Who: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Chicago Bulls
- Date: Thursday, March 19, 2026
- Time: 8:00 PM ET/5:00PM PT
- Venue: United Center
Conclusion
We predict the Cavaliers, with a 76% win probability, will likely beat the Bulls on Thursday, with James Harden projected for a game-high 50 fantasy points.
AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Cavaliers vs. Bulls insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are based on up-to-date data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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Ryan Leaver uses advanced statistical models and simulations to predict outcomes and provide predictions for the NBA, NFL, college football, college basketball, and soccer. He offers detailed game previews, best bets, props, and futures articles.
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