The Chicago Bulls (18-46), 8.5-point underdogs, will be at Bankers Life Fieldhouse to clash against the Indiana Pacers (41-23) in a Central Division matchup. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 220 points and it will air on WGN Channel 9 at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 5, 2019.
Chicago Bulls vs. Indiana Pacers Betting Odds
In their last game, the Pacers (3-point favorites) were defeated by the Orlando Magic, 117-112, while the Bulls (4-point favorites) fell to the Atlanta Hawks, 123-118. Both games went over their projected point totals. The Indiana game went 20 points over the projected point total of 209, while the Chicago game went 12 points over the projected point total of 229.
Chicago had a better effective field goal percentage (0.554 vs. 0.590) while Indiana did a great job of making free throws (21-24; 87.5 percent). Darren Collison had a good outing for Indiana, recording 23 points and 10 assists. Meanwhile, Chicago rallied around Lauri Markkanen, who recorded 19 points and nine rebounds.
The Pacers have won all three matchups against the Bulls this season. In their most recent game, the two teams combined for 235 points, well over the projected point total of 201. Indiana won 119-116 but was unable to cover as a 7-point favorite. The Pacers’ 11.5 turnover percentage was their largest strength over the Bulls, who had a rate of 14.9. In the victory, Victor Oladipo led all scorers with 36 points.
Just over half of the Bulls’ games have finished under the total. Chicago heads into the contest with records of 18-46 straight up (SU) and 29-33-2 against the spread (ATS).
Of the Pacers’ 64 games, 36 have finished under the total. Additionally, Indiana is 41-23 SU and 32-31-1 ATS.
The Bulls’ Markkanen has been playing well over his last five games, averaging 28 points,13.0 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Bojan Bogdanovic has averaged 24 points during that same time frame for the Pacers.
The upper-echelon offense of Indiana will clash against the porous defense of Chicago. The Pacers currently rank fifth in effective field goal percentage (0.535), while the Bulls are 26th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.536). The Pacers should have the edge on that end of the court. Also, the Bulls rank 21st in turnover percentage (13.5 percent), while the Pacers rank second in opponents’ turnover percentage (15.3 percent).
Chicago Bulls at Indiana Pacers Odds Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Pacers, ATS Winner – Bulls, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Pacers rank fourth in points allowed in the paint per game (44.3) while the Bulls rank 13th (48.1).
- Indiana ranks fourth in rebounds allowed per game (43.1) while Chicago ranks 25th (46.5).
- The Pacers rank 14th in second chance points per game (13.3) while the Bulls rank last (10.3).
- Indiana ranks 14th in three pointers allowed per game (31.9) while Chicago ranks 28th (33.8).
- Indiana ranks 16th in blocks per game (5.0) while Chicago ranks 25th (4.5).
- The Pacers rank third in points off turnovers per game (19.9) while the Bulls rank 23rd (15.3).
- The Pacers rank third in steals per game (8.9) while the Bulls rank 15th (7.5).
- Indiana ranks sixth in assists per game (26.2) while Chicago ranks 26th (22.3).
- Chicago is 8-5 when they allow under 100 points, while Indiana is 21-3.
- The Pacers are 36-13 when they reach 100 points, while the Bulls are 14-28.
- Indiana is 19-14 ATS at home, while Chicago is 17-13-2 ATS on the road.
- The Bulls have 16 overs and 16 unders in 32 road games.
- The Pacers have 22 unders and 11 overs in 33 home games.
Bettings Trends:
- The Bulls are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Pacers are 2-3.
- In their last five games, Chicago has 3 overs and 2 unders, while Indiana has 4 overs and 1 under.
- During their last five games, the Bulls have scored an average of 125.4 points per game (20.4 above their season average) and allowed an average of 124.8 points per game (12.2 above their season average).
- The Pacers have been outscored by an average of 0.8 points in their last five games. On the season, Indiana has defeated opponents by an average of 4.9 points.
