The Los Angeles Lakers (7-10) will be at home in Staples Center when they square off against the Chicago Bulls (3-11). Los Angeles is a 5.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the games Over/Under (O/U) opened at 211 points. Action starts at 10:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, November 21, 2017, and it can be seen on NBATV.
Chicago Bulls vs. Los Angeles Lakers Free Preview
In the Bulls last game, they fell to the Phoenix Suns, 113-105. Lauri Markkanen put together a solid game for Chicago, leading the team in scoring with 26 points on 10-for-19 shooting. Phoenix did a fantastic job of converting from the charity stripe (16-22; 72.7 percent). Chicago, on the other hand, had a better offensive rebounding percentage (23.5 vs. 20.5).
The Lakers come in on a high note after blowing out the Denver Nuggets in their last contest, 127-109. Los Angeles Lonzo Ball played an enormous role in the victory, registering 11 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists on his way to his first triple-double of the season. The Lakers forced 21 turnovers and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.590 (above their season average of 0.491).
It will be a matchup of contrasting tempos as the fast-breaking Lakers (ranked second in the NBA in possessions per game) will look to push the slower-paced Bulls (20th in possessions per game). Additionally, the Bulls 29th-ranked offense (offensive efficiency of 96.6) will face a difficult challenge against the Lakers fifth-ranked defense (defensive efficiency of 101.7).
Of Chicagos 14 games, eight have finished under the O/U total, while 9 of Los Angeles 17 games have finished under the O/U total. The Lakers have the sizable advantage straight up (SU) (7-10 vs. 3-11) and a slight edge against the spread (ATS) (8-9 vs. 6-6-2).
Kyle Kuzma has been impressive over the last five games for Los Angeles, averaging 19.8 points and 8.6 rebounds per game.
This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. Each won one of the two games played against each other last season. In the most recent game, the Lakers won 96-90. The Lakers dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had an extraordinary offensive rebounding percentage of 36.0 and a ridiculous free throw rate of 0.346. For those same stats, the Bulls had marks of 25.0 and 0.242, respectively.
Chicago Bulls vs. Los Angeles Lakers Odds Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Bulls, ATS Winner – Bulls, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Bulls rank eighth in steals allowed per game (7.5) while the Lakers rank 27th (8.9).
- Chicago ranks fourth in second chance points allowed per game (10.1) while Los Angeles ranks 19th (13.2).
- Los Angeles ranks ninth in assists allowed per game (21.4) while Chicago ranks 27th (24.6).
- Chicago ranks 13th in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.4) while Los Angeles ranks 25th (19.8).
- On the road, Chicago is 4-3-1 ATS with 5 overs and 3 unders.
- At home, Los Angeles is 5-5 ATS with 6 overs and 4 unders.
- In games where they allow under 100 points, Chicago is 2-4 and Los Angeles is 3-2.
- The Bulls are 2-4 when they reach 100 points, while the Lakers are 7-4.
- The Lakers rank fifth in rebounds per game (47.5) while the Bulls rank 22nd in rebounds allowed per game (45.7).
- Los Angeles ranks first in points in the paint per game (56.2) while Chicago ranks 27th (37.3).
- The Lakers rank third in blocks per game (6.0) while the Bulls rank 27th (3.4).
- The Bulls rank sixth in three pointers attempted per game (31.4) while the Lakers rank 19th in three pointers allowed per game (29.6).
- Los Angeles ranks fourth in fast break points per game (14.9) while Chicago ranks 25th (7.4).
Bettings Trends:
- Los Angeles is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Chicago is 1-3-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Lakers have outscored opponents by an average of 0.4 points in their last five games. For the season, Los Angeles has lost by an average of 1.9 points.
- During their last five games, the Bulls have scored an average of 97.6 points per game (2.1 above their season average) and allowed an average of 112.6 points per game (7.7 above their season average).
