Chicago Bulls at Memphis Grizzlies

CHI @ MEM — March 28, 2026 | FedExForum | 8:10 PM EDT

Betting Market

Chicago Bulls are road FAVORITES at -3.5 (consensus across FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM). Moneyline: CHI -164 to -175 / MEM +130 to +150. Total: 244.5–246.0 (BetMGM). This is a rare situation where the visiting team is favored — a direct reflection of Memphis's catastrophic injury attrition vs. Chicago's marginally healthier roster. Bovada sets spread at -4.0, slightly higher than consensus.

Today's Injury Status — Chicago Bulls (road)

Out for season: Noa Essengue (shoulder), Zach Collins (toe), Jalen Smith (calf — ruled out for season), Jaden Ivey (knee — ruled out for season) Day-to-day/Questionable: Anfernee Simons (wrist — doubtful, was DTD vs OKC on Mar 27), Guerschon Yabusele (ankle sprain, day-to-day), Nick Richards (elbow, day-to-day), Isaac Okoro (knee, day-to-day) Probable/Available: Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, Tre Jones, Collin Sexton, Yuki Kawamura, Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, Mac McClung

Today's Injury Status — Memphis Grizzlies (home)

Out for season: Ja Morant (elbow UCL — PRP injection, done for year), Brandon Clarke (calf strain), Zach Edey (ankle/elbow procedure), Santi Aldama (knee surgery), Scotty Pippen Jr. (sesamoidectomy — toe), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (finger surgery) Questionable/GTD: Ty Jerome (ankle sprain — missed Fri vs HOU, GTD for Saturday per NBA.com), Jaylen Wells (toe soreness — missed Fri, listed as possible to return Sat), Jahmai Mashack (ankle — doubtful) Available: Walter Clayton Jr., Cole Anthony, Cam Spencer, Cedric Coward, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang, Yang Hansen, Javon Small

Memphis is playing its second game in two nights (played HOU on Mar 27 = back-to-back). Chicago played OKC on Mar 27 as well, also a back-to-back situation for both teams.

Rest & Travel Context

Both teams are on a back-to-back with identical rest disadvantage. Memphis plays at home (no travel). Chicago traveled from Oklahoma City to Memphis — a moderate road trip continuation. This marginally favors Memphis on the fatigue/rest axis, partially offsetting their roster disadvantage.

Head-to-Head This Season

The only prior meeting this season: March 16, 2026 — CHI 132, MEM 107 at United Center. Chicago dominated: Buzelis 29 pts, Giddey triple-double, 7 Bulls in double figures, shot 51.6% from the field vs Memphis's 45.3%. Chicago covered as -7.5 home favorites; total of 243.5 went UNDER. Chicago has now won 5 of the last 6 meetings SU and is 5-1 ATS in last 6 vs MEM.

Matchup Dynamics

Pace/Style clash: Both teams rank in the bottom half of pace metrics and defensive ratings. Chicago allows 120.3 PPG (27th), Memphis allows ~119 PPG (24th). Both defenses are porous — strongly favors the OVER despite the total already sitting at 244.5+. Interior vacuum: Memphis is without Edey, Clarke, and Aldama — their entire frontcourt depth is gone. Chicago is without Collins but still has Richards (if healthy) and Miller. Chicago's interior advantage, even with depleted personnel, is notable. Perimeter: Memphis will likely lean on Walter Clayton Jr., Cole Anthony, and Cam Spencer. Chicago counters with Giddey (9.2 APG, 17.6 PPG) and Buzelis (20+ PPG in March). Chicago's perimeter talent is superior today. Key player matchup: Giddey vs. whoever Memphis deploys at point (likely Clayton Jr./Small) — massive advantage for Chicago. Buzelis vs. Taylor Hendricks or Georges Niang — Buzelis's recent form (22+ PPG in March) gives Chicago a clear edge.

Motivation Factors

Neither team has playoff implications — both are locked into draft lottery positioning. Chicago (29-44, 12th East) and Memphis (24-49, 12th West) are playing out the string. Memphis has more draft pick incentive to lose (more picks stockpiled, lower seeding). Chicago's young players are competing for roster evaluation purposes. The revenge/spoiler angle is minimal, but individual player development motivation keeps effort levels unpredictable.

Betting Angles

• Chicago is 5-2 ATS in last 7 games; 5-1 ATS in last 6 vs Memphis; 8-4 ATS in last 12 road games vs MEM
• OVER trends: OVER in 6 of Chicago's last 9 March games; OVER in 5 of Memphis's last 6 home games on Saturday; combined defenses are among league's worst
• Memphis is 0-5 SU in last 5 games; 1-8 SU in last 9 home games
• Key risk: If Jerome and Wells return to active for Memphis and multiple Chicago day-to-day players sit, line could shift

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Chicago Bulls — March 28, 2026 | FedExForum | 8:00 PM ET

Injury Status — TODAY'S GAME

Memphis Grizzlies:

• Ty Jerome (G) — Questionable/GTD: Left ankle sprain. Ruled OUT for Friday's Rockets game (his 2nd straight miss). His status is unclear for Saturday — described as his "next chance to play." This is the game-defining variable. Jerome (19.9 PPG, 5.8 APG) is Memphis's only legitimate closer.
• Jaylen Wells (SF) — Questionable/GTD: Right toe soreness. Also missed Friday vs. Houston. Saturday is listed as his "next chance to play." If he returns, he adds 12.7 PPG.
• Ja Morant (PG) — OUT (season): Shut down March 24 for PRP injection.
• Brandon Clarke (F) — OUT (season): Calf.
• Zach Edey (C) — OUT (season): Ankle surgery.
• Santi Aldama (F) — OUT (season): Knee surgery.
• Scotty Pippen Jr. (G) — OUT (season): Toe surgery.
• Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (G) — OUT (season): Finger surgery.
• Jahmai Mashack (G) — Doubtful: Ankle.
• GG Jackson II (F) — GTD: Active vs. Spurs on March 25 (led team with 20 pts); available barring setback.

Chicago Bulls:

• Anfernee Simons (SG) — OUT (11+ straight misses): Left ulnar styloid fracture; listed as doubtful vs. OKC on March 27. Has missed 11 consecutive games. Bulls' primary scoring option unavailable.
• Jaden Ivey (PG) — OUT: Knee soreness; appeared in only 4 games since trade deadline acquisition.
• Noa Essengue (F) — OUT (season): Left shoulder surgery.
• Zach Collins (PF) — OUT (season): Toe surgery.
• Jalen Smith (PF) — OUT (season): Right calf.
• Nick Richards (C) — Questionable: Right elbow sprain (out vs. OKC March 27).
• Guerschon Yabusele (F) — GTD: Left ankle sprain.
• Isaac Okoro (SF) — Probable: Right knee (played vs. OKC).
• Rob Dillingham (G) — Probable: Knee.

Rest & Travel Situation

• Memphis: Played Friday March 27 at home vs. Houston — second consecutive home game. No travel required. Back-to-back situation uncertain (depends on game time gap).
• Chicago: Played Friday March 27 at OKC (113-131 loss). This is a TRUE ROAD BACK-TO-BACK for the Bulls — they travel from Oklahoma City to Memphis overnight. Chicago is 2-10 SU in their last 12 road games, and back-to-backs on the road are a significant fatigue factor.

Head-to-Head This Season

• Meeting 1 (Oct 28, 2024): Bulls 126, Grizzlies 123 — at Memphis. Bulls covered as small road dogs (+5 ATS).
• Meeting 2 (Nov 23, 2024): Grizzlies 142, Bulls 131 — at Chicago. Memphis covered.
• Meeting 3 (Mar 16, 2026): Bulls 132, Grizzlies 107 — at Chicago. Bulls won by 25; Josh Giddey posted a triple-double (16 pts, 7 reb, 13 ast). Bulls covered -7.5. Memphis had GG Jackson doubtful/Ty Jerome doubtful for that game.
• Season series: Bulls lead 2-1. Chicago is 5-1 SU and 5-1 ATS in last 6 meetings all-time. Dominant trend favors Chicago head-to-head.

Matchup Dynamics

This is a battle of lottery-bound teams: Chicago 29-44 (12th East) vs. Memphis 24-49 (11th West). Both are eliminated from the playoffs. However, the matchup dynamics are NOT equal:

Chicago advantages:

• Josh Giddey (17.5 PPG, triple-double machine — 13 this season, 6 since All-Star break) is healthy and dominant. Without Jerome or Wells, there's no Memphis perimeter defender capable of containing his playmaking.
• Bulls score 116.1 PPG (12th NBA), well above Memphis's 115.5 PPG (17th). Chicago's defense allows 120.3 PPG (26th) — but Memphis's offense is equally porous (117.8 PPG allowed, 22nd).
• The road B2B fatigue could hurt Chicago, but the talent gap vs. a depleted Memphis roster is significant.
• Patrick Williams and Okoro provide athleticism the Grizzlies' development roster cannot match.

Memphis advantages (if Jerome/Wells play):

• Home court (limited benefit at this stage of season).
• Giddey's defense is exploitable — Jerome/Wells/Clayton can attack him off the dribble.
• Memphis's 4-1 ATS in last 5 home games.
• GG Jackson's (14.8 PPG) scoring creates mismatches against Chicago's depleted frontcourt.

If Jerome/Wells are OUT: Memphis starting lineup: Walter Clayton Jr., Rayan Rupert, GG Jackson, Cedric Coward, Olivier-Maxence Prosper (or Taylor Hendricks). This roster is severely outmatched against Giddey, Williams, and Dillingham.

Betting Market Context

• Spread: Chicago -3.5 (consensus across 9 of 10 books); Bovada/Fanatics open at -4.
• Moneyline: Bulls -162 to -175 / Grizzlies +130 to +150.
• Total: 244.5–246.0 — notably HIGH for two low-quality teams. Reflects Memphis's league-worst defense (117.8 PPG allowed) and Chicago's tendency to play in shootouts.
• Key trends: Bulls 5-2 ATS in last 7 games; Bulls 5-1 ATS in last 6 vs. Memphis; OVER has hit in 5 of Memphis's last 6 vs. Chicago; UNDER has hit in 5 of Memphis's last 7 games overall. The OVER/UNDER trends are conflicting — watch the total closely.
• OddsShark ATS (this season): Chicago 6-4 ATS in last 10 road games vs. Western teams; Memphis 4-1 ATS in last 5 home games vs. Central Division opponents — conflicting signals.
• Polymarket has Bulls moneyline at -163, reflecting approximately 62% implied win probability.

Key Player Matchups

1. Josh Giddey vs. Walter Clayton Jr.: Giddey's triple-double pace is historic; Clayton is a capable but undersized defender. If Jerome is out, Giddey exploits this all night.
2. GG Jackson II vs. Patrick Williams: Two athletic forwards in a featured matchup. Jackson is the Grizzlies' best scorer when healthy; Williams is Chicago's best two-way wing.
3. Cedric Coward vs. Lachlan Olbrich: Coward (13.4 PPG, 6.2 RPG) leads Memphis in rebounding; Olbrich is Chicago's makeshift center with Collins/Smith/Richards out.

Motivation Factors

• Memphis: Pure development mode. Individual auditions for 2026-27 roster spots. No competitive stakes.
• Chicago: Lottery positioning is actually a concern — Bulls are 29-44, 5 games better than Memphis. A win may slightly hurt their draft position, but individual Bulls (especially Giddey, Dillingham) are auditioning for future roles.
• The road B2B is the single biggest factor dampening Chicago's edge. If Jerome returns for Memphis, this becomes a genuine toss-up despite the talent gap.