[WATCH/STREAMS!] Thunder vs Bulls Live Free Online Broadcast 25 October 2023
The Oklahoma City Thunder head to the United Center in Chicago on October 25 to take on the Bulls in the season opener for both teams. Thunder vs Bulls Live Stream: How to Watch Online for Free
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How to watch Bulls vs. Thunder basketball game
How To Watch
When: Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 8 p.m. ET
Where: United Center -- Chicago, Illinois
TV: Bally Sports Oklahoma
The Oklahoma City Thunder will hit the road to start their 2023-2024 campaign against the Chicago Bulls. Tip off is scheduled at 8:00 p.m. ET on October 25th at United Center.
One of the more interesting stats to watch in this game could be field goal percentage, as these two produced some pretty different results last year. The Bulls finished last season ranked third overall in field goal percentage, having averaged 49.1% per game. The Thunder, on the other hand, didn't do so hot: they were ranked 24th at 46.7%.
Looking back to last season, the Bulls finished on the wrong side of .500 (40-42), but they'll be hoping to turn things around this year. Similarly, the Thunder didn't have their best season, also finishing 40-42.
Looking ahead to Wednesday, the Bulls are expected to win a tight contest, barring any buzzer beaters. They finished last season with a 43-39 record against the spread.
The Bulls came up short against the Thunder in their previous meeting back in January, falling 124-110. Can the Bulls avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
The Oklahoma City Thunder travel to the Windy City to take on the Chicago Bulls for the first game of the season! This game will continue our NBA odds series as we hand out a Thunder-Bulls prediction and pick. We will also let you know how to watch the game.
The Thunder are coming off a surprising season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gave the Thunder an incredible season. He averaged over 30 points per game, and 5.5 assists. Oklahoma City also returns Josh Giddey, Jalen Williams, and Luguentz Dort. Those four players were the Thunder's only double-digit scorers for the season. The rest of the team averaged under 10.0 point per game individually. However, those four are good players, and they have the ability to keep the Rockets in the game. In fact, Gilgeous-Alexander has the ability on his own to keep the Thunder in the game.
One big factor, that I believe has gone overlooked, is Chet Holmgren. He missed the entire year last season, and is making his return Wednesday night. He enjoyed a pretty good preseason, and looks like he can be a scorer that averages 20.0 points per game. He also looks like he could make a real impact on the game. It might take some scoring away from Gilgeous-Alexander, but it will definitely be more help than hurt. If he can have a good game, the Thunder will cover this spread.
Chicago has been a disappointing team. With DeMar DeRozan, Zach Lavine, and Nikola Vucevic, the Bulls should be a much better team than they are. Alex Caruso, Coby White, and Patrick Williams are all capable players, as well. Chicago has made the playoffs with this team, but overall it has been lackluster. However, with those players, the Bulls can hang with any team, and beat the bad teams. Caruso also elevates the defense in a way that is desperately needed in Chicago. With that said, the Bulls have a great chance to cover the spread.
The Bulls made some additions of their own. Jevon Carter is the most notable name. He is not a superstar player that will be a top of the league scorer, but he is good enough to make a difference. With him, the Bulls will be a better team, especially because they did not lose many players. As ong as the Bulls play like they know how, they will cover the spread.
This game is going to be close. A lot closer than people think. The Thunder are a good team, and I believe they can be a playoff team. The Bulls are also a playoff team if they can play to the best of their abilities. The Bulls are favorites by just a little bit, and they should be. With this being a home game, I do like the Bulls to cover the spread. As for the over/under, it is a little tougher to predict. However, I do like the Under to hit in this one.
We also know the Thunder should match up well with the Bulls on paper, winning both meetings between the two last season. On paper, the Bulls have no answer for Thunder stud and darkhorse MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and they failed to make any big off-season additions that would sway us elsewhere.
Former Thunder head coach Billy Donovan can feel his seat warming in Chicago, and with the Bulls roster in a sort of limbo with Lonzo Ball’s inactivity, DeMar DeRozan aging, questions over LaVine’s long-term plans and a small core of young players who have yet to fully develop, the future is cloudy in Chicago.
A win at home against a promising young Thunder team on the verge of turning into a sneaky elite NBA team could give the Bulls plenty of confidence moving forward, but we just don’t see it tonight. With NBA Rookie of the Year candidate Chet Holmgren now in the mix for the Thunder, OKC’s starting five just got a little scarier.
OKC finished 10th in the West with a 40-42 record after losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves who clinched the eighth seed via the play-in tournament. The Bulls lost the final seed position to the Miami Heat, who then went on to face the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 NBA Finals.
The Bulls are one of the units who have decided to run it back this season with their star trio of DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic. Their approach to the new season with more emphasis on defense and three-point shooting was highlighted in the preseason as well.
While the results weren't in their favor, Chicago will look to make an impact when they start the season against a team that boasts a formidable defense.
The Thunder have some prime names to watch out for. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was their offensive force last season, while Lu Dort locking up even the versatile of scorers made OKC a legitimate threat. This season, they have rookie Chet Holmgren who already made headlines in the preseason for his impressive play as the team's future big man.