The Chicago Bulls (3-19), who are currently on a nine-game skid, will try to get back in the win column when they visit Bankers Life Fieldhouse to square off against the Indiana Pacers (13-11). The games Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 209 points with Indiana opening as a 9.5-point favorite. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, December 6, 2017, and it can be seen on NBC Sports Chicago.
Chicago Bulls at Indiana Pacers Odds Preview
The Bulls were blown out by the Cleveland Cavaliers in their last game, 113-91. Chicago’s Justin Holiday had a solid performance, putting up 14 points and six rebounds. Cleveland had a turnover percentage of 7.3 (better than their season average of 13.6). Chicago, on the other hand, held the Cavaliers to an offensive rebounding percentage of 13.2 (below their season average of 20.8).
In the Pacers last game, they blew out the New York Knicks, 115-97. Indiana rallied around Darren Collison, who put up 10 points and 10 assists. Indiana dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a great effective field goal percentage of 0.599 (above their season average of 0.535) and a free throw rate of 0.140 (below their season average of 0.180). New York was 0.473 and 0.121, respectively, for those same stats.
The high-powered offense of Indiana will face off against the mid-tier defense of Chicago. The Pacers rank sixth in offensive efficiency, while the Bulls are 29th in defensive efficiency. The Pacers figure to have the advantage on that side of the ball. Furthermore, the Bulls, who rank 30th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.141), could struggle to get to the line against the Pacers, who rank first in opponents FTA rate (0.151).
Of Chicago’s 22 games, 13 have finished under the O/U total, while 12 of Indiana’s 24 games have finished over the O/U total. The Pacers come into this game with considerably better straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records. They are 13-11 SU and 15-9 ATS, while the Bulls are 3-19 SU and 8-11-3 ATS.
These teams have already met once this season. In that game, the two teams combined to put up 192 points, which was under the projected point total of 201. The Pacers won 105-87, covering as 3.5-point favorites. Indiana’s 0.583 effective field goal percentage was its biggest strength over Chicago, who had a mark of 0.435. Victor Oladipo was the games top overall scorer with 25 points.
Chicago Bulls vs. Indiana Pacers ATS Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Pacers, ATS Winner – Pacers, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Pacers average 23.4 assists per game, which ranks sixth in the league. The Bulls rank 25th in assists allowed per game (24.7).
- Chicago ranks 12th in points allowed in the paint per game (42.9) while Indiana ranks 28th (49.4).
- Chicago ranks third in second chance points allowed per game (10.3) while Indiana ranks 21st (13.3).
- Chicago is 5-6-1 ATS on the road, while Indiana is 7-4 ATS at home.
- In 12 road games, the Bulls have 7 overs and 5 unders.
- In 11 home games, the Pacers have 6 unders, 4 overs and 1 push.
- Chicago is 2-4 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while Indiana is 6-0.
- When reaching the century mark, the Bulls are 2-6 and the Pacers are 12-5.
- The Bulls rank seventh in three pointers attempted per game (31.8) while the Pacers rank 23rd in three pointers allowed per game (30.5).
- Indiana ranks fifth in points off turnovers per game (19.3) while Chicago ranks 29th (13.3).
- The Pacers rank third in fast break points per game (15.2) while the Bulls rank 25th (8.5).
- The Pacers rank 16th in rebounds allowed per game (43.4) while the Bulls rank 27th (46.5).
- Chicago ranks fifth in blocks allowed per game (4.2) while Indiana ranks 26th (5.6).
Bettings Trends:
- Indiana is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs, 1 under and 1 push in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Chicago is 2-2-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Pacers have been outscored by an average of 1.2 points in their last five games. For the season, Indiana has defeated opponents by an average of 1.0 point.
- During their last five games, the Bulls have scored an average of 99.8 points per game (4.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 107.0 points per game (0.2 below their season average).
