Chicago Bulls at Dallas Mavericks odds, picks and predictions

The Chicago Bulls (38-42) and Dallas Mavericks (38-42) square off for the 2nd and final time this season on Friday. Tip-off from American Airlines Center is at 8:30 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Bulls vs. Mavericks odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.

The Bulls have already clinched a spot in the play-in tournament but they're currently sitting in the 10th spot in the Eastern Conference, 2 games back of the Toronto Raptors. Chicago is 5-5 in its last 10 games and has dropped 2 in a row. It's just 17-23 on the road this season which is 4 games worse than their home record (21-19).

The Western Conference is much more open than the East, which is good news for the struggling Mavericks. They're the 11th in the conference - currently out of the play-in tournament - but that's only a half-game back of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Dallas has 2 games left, so they can slide into play-in positioning before the season ends. However, the Mavs are struggling and are just 3-7 in their last 10 outings.

Chicago won 144-115 as a 5-point home favorite as the Over (221) cashed in the first meeting on Dec. 10.