Free Pick | NBA | Wednesday | Jan. 4

Free Pick: #565 Brooklyn Nets -4.5 over Chicago Bulls 7:10 PM CT

Brooklyn’s recent offensive efficiency has been off the charts as far and away the best in the NBA with the Nets reestablished as a serious contender having won 12 straight games, just a half-game behind Boston for the best record in the NBA. Brooklyn lacks a strong record vs. top competition but the Bulls have not been in that category. After an exhausting overtime loss in Cleveland on Monday this is a dangerous spot for Chicago following a run of four straight division games, including two overtime results. Brooklyn is the #1 field goal rate team in the NBA and the #2 3-point shooting team and the Bulls are 22nd in field goal defense and 29th in 3-point defense as this should be a mismatch playing to the strength of the Nets. This pairing should draw Brooklyn’s attention as Chicago won 108-99 in Brooklyn early this season. The Nets will be a bigger favorite tonight in Chicago than they were at home in that pairing but the adjustment is not difficult to justify given the recent form of these teams and the context of this matchup.