Chicago Bulls vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction, Odds and Picks for Today, 12/19/25

The Cleveland Cavaliers entered the season with expectations of being one of the Eastern Conference’s top contenders, but their performance has fallen well short of that billing. Sitting at 15-13, Cleveland’s record looks respectable on paper, yet their inability to meet market expectations has been glaring. The Cavs own one of the worst ATS records in the league at 8-20 — including a troubling 4-12 ATS record at home — signaling consistent struggles to separate from opponents. Offensive inconsistency and late game execution issues have plagued them, and they’ve repeatedly failed to justify laying sizable numbers, even against teams with lesser overall records.

Chicago, meanwhile, has cooled after an unexpected red hot start, but the Bulls remain a dangerous opponent in underdog situations. They’ve been especially reliable when getting points, posting a strong 9-3 ATS record as a dog this season. That trend reflects a team that competes with urgency when expectations are low, controls pace effectively, and rarely allows games to get out of hand. Chicago’s guard play has helped them stay competitive, and their defensive effort is typically sharper in these spots, making life uncomfortable for favorites that rely on clean half court execution. With Cleveland continuing to underperform relative to expectations and Chicago consistently covering as an underdog, this matchup sets up well for a tight contest or even a Bulls outright win.

Bulls vs Cavaliers Prediction: Chicago Bulls +7.5 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable to +6.

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