Minnesota
Timberwolves
Spread
+5.5
NBA Predictions
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Chicago Bulls Predictions
Friday, October 16, 2026 at 8:00pm EST at United Center, Chicago, IL
@
Chicago
Bulls
Spread
-5.5
50%
50%
Spread
Minnesota Timberwolves +5.5
Chicago Bulls -5.5
Moneyline
Minnesota Timberwolves +170
Chicago Bulls -205
Total
Over 234.5 (-110)
Under 234.5 (-110)
Professional Picks
2 listed
Professional Picks On This Game
Jon Dorsey
Spread pick
Cecil Cohen
Total pick
Timberwolves vs. Bulls Prediction: Pass on Minnesota at -120
Analysis updated October 16, 2026 at 7:28 AM CDT
The SPF market makes Minnesota the likely winner, but the Timberwolves' -120 moneyline is too short for a preseason game with unsettled availability.
A narrow edge at an uncertain price
Minnesota is a 1.5-point road favorite and -120 on the moneyline, while Chicago is +100. That makes the Timberwolves the likely winner, but the small spread shows how little separates the teams. There isn't enough reliable lineup information to justify paying -120.
Hoops Nightly, an NBA game-information site, reports that Minnesota will be without Donte DiVincenzo because of a right Achilles issue. It also lists Minnesota's Ayo Dosunmu, Rocco Zikarsky and Enrique Freeman as day-to-day, along with Chicago's Isaac Okoro, Tobe Awaka, Zach Collins and Nic Claxton. Those unresolved statuses carry extra weight in a game priced this closely.
Recent results do not settle the matchup
Minnesota lost 128-106 at home to Detroit on October 14, while Chicago won 125-104 at Milwaukee that day. Hoops Nightly lists the Timberwolves at 3-2 and the Bulls at 2-3 across their previous five preseason games, so the latest results point one way while the five-game records point the other.
The projected starting lineups are not confirmed, and Hoops Nightly says official starters may not be known until about 30 minutes before tip-off. Minnesota can still be the projected winner, but uncertain rotations and availability make the moneyline a pass.
Pick
Minnesota Timberwolves
Confidence
low
Betting lean
Pass