The Indiana Pacers (13-10), the league’s top scoring defense and 8.5-point favorites, will challenge the Chicago Bulls (5-19) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 208.5 points and it will air on NBC Sports Chicago at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 4, 2018.
Chicago Bulls vs. Indiana Pacers ATS Odds
Both teams were beaten in their last outing. The Bulls (13-point underdogs) were defeated by the Houston Rockets, 121-105, while the Pacers (1.5-point favorites) fell to the Sacramento Kings, 111-110. The Chicago game finished 8 points over the projected point total of 218, while the Indiana game finished 4 points under the projected point total of 225.
Chicago had a better turnover percentage (11.7 vs. 12.6) while Indiana had an effective field goal percentage of 0.585 (above their season average of 0.531). Myles Turner had a good game for Indiana, recording 14 points and 12 rebounds. Chicago received a boost from Zach LaVine, who put up 29 points.
In their first matchup this season, Victor Oladipo led the Pacers to a 107-105 win. He notched a double-double with 25 points and 14 rebounds. Indiana was unable to cover as a 7-point favorite and the two teams combined to put up 212 points, which was just under the projected point total of 213.5. Making free throws was one of Indiana’s largest strengths. They were 20-22 (90.9 percent), while the Bulls were just 8-9 (88.9 percent).
Of the Bulls’ 24 games, 16 have finished under the total. Chicago holds records of 5-19 straight up (SU) and 11-13 against the spread (ATS).
Games involving the Pacers also have a tendency to finish under the total (56.5 percent). Moreover, Indiana owns records of 13-10 SU and 10-12-1 ATS.
Jabari Parker has really been playing well as of late for Chicago, averaging 21 points,8.2 rebounds over the last five games.
Points at the line might be scarce for Indiana in this battle. The Pacers rank 28th in the NBA with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.173, while Chicago ranks fourth in FTA rate allowed (0.182). Moreover, the Bulls’ 30th-ranked offense (offensive efficiency of 99.5) will face a difficult challenge against the Pacers’ fourth-ranked defense (defensive efficiency of 103.2).
Chicago Bulls at Indiana Pacers ATS Pick
NBA Pick: SU Winner – Pacers, ATS Winner – Pacers, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Pacers average 24.47826086956522 assists per game, which ranks 10 in the NBA. The Bulls rank 18 in assists allowed per game (24.791666666666668).
- Indiana ranks fourth in rebounds allowed per game (42.2) while Chicago ranks 28th (49.4).
- The Pacers rank first in points allowed in the paint per game (41.5) while the Bulls rank 15th (48.4).
- Indiana ranks first in second chance points allowed per game (10.3) while Chicago ranks 14th (13.0).
- Indiana ranks 18 in three pointers allowed per game (31.47826086956522) while Chicago ranks 27 (34.708333333333336).
- The Pacers rank third in points off turnovers per game (20.3) while the Bulls rank 25th (15.2).
- The Pacers average 5.130434782608695 blocks per game, which ranks 19 in the league. The Bulls rank 28 in blocks allowed per game (6.75).
- Chicago ranks 17 in fast break points per game (12) while Indiana ranks 21 in fast break points allowed per game (14.26086956521739).
- Indiana ranks third in steals per game (9.4) while Chicago ranks 20th in steals allowed per game (8.2).
- Indiana is 6-1 when they allow less than 100 points, while Chicago is 2-1.
- The Bulls are 3-11 when they reach 100 points, while the Pacers are 11-5.
- Indiana is 5-5 ATS at home, while Chicago is 4-8 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone under in 7 of the Pacers’ 10 home games, while 7 of the Bulls’ 12 road games have gone under.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Chicago and Indiana are both 2-3 ATS.
- The Bulls have 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games, while the Pacers have 3 unders and 2 overs
- During their last five games, the Bulls have scored an average of 101.8 points per game (1.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 112.6 points per game (0.4 below their season average).
- The Pacers\u2019 average margin of victory in their last five games has been 3.6, up from 3.5 for the season.