The Chicago Bulls (20-38) look to end a five-game road losing streak when they take on the Minnesota Timberwolves (36-26) at Target Center. Minnesota opened as an 8.5-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 219 points. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 24, 2018, and it can be seen on WGN Channel 9.
Chicago Bulls vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Odds Preview
The last time the Bulls played, they lost a close one to the Philadelphia 76ers, 116-115. With 38 points on 15-for-26 shooting, Bobby Portis was the games leading scorer. Philadelphia had a free throw rate of 0.256 (above their season average of 0.205). Chicago, on the other hand, had an offensive rebounding percentage of 25.0 (above their season average of 19.7).
The Timberwolves are hoping for a better outcome after their 120-102 loss to the Houston Rockets in their last matchup. With 18 points and 13 rebounds, Karl-Anthony Towns put together a solid performance for Minnesota. Houston did a great job of making free throws (26-30; 86.7 percent). Minnesota, on the other hand, had a better turnover percentage (9.0 vs. 10.4).
The high-powered offense of Minnesota will square off against the porous defense of Chicago. The Timberwolves currently rank third in offensive efficiency, while the Bulls are 25th in defensive efficiency. The Timberwolves should have the advantage on that end of the court. Also, the Bulls commit the fifth-fewest errors in the NBA (turnover percentage of 12.8 percent), while the disruptive defense of the Timberwolves causes the third-most (opponents turnover percentage of 15.3 percent).
Of Chicago’s 58 games, 31 have finished over the projected point total, while 33 of Minnesota’s 61 games have finished over the projected point total. The Timberwolves hold the clear advantage straight up (SU) (36-26 vs. 20-38), but the Bulls have been superior against the spread (ATS) (30-25-3 vs. 28-30-3).
Portis has really been playing well over the last five games for Chicago, averaging 15.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.
These teams have already met once this season. In that game, the two teams combined to put up 227 points, which was over the projected point total of 216. The Bulls won 114-113, covering as 7.5-point underdogs. The Bulls played a nearly perfect game. They had a turnover percentage of 10.3 and an effective field goal percentage of 0.548. For those same stats, the Timberwolves had marks of 11.6 and 0.517, respectively. In the loss, Jimmy Butler led all scorers with 38 points.
Chicago Bulls vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Free Prediction
NBA Pick: SU Winner – Timberwolves, ATS Winner – Bulls, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Timberwolves rank third in steals per game (8.7) while the Bulls rank 25th (7.0).
- Minnesota ranks 13th in assists per game (22.8) while Chicago ranks 27th in assists allowed per game (25.3).
- Chicago ranks seventh in three pointers attempted per game (31.0) while Minnesota ranks 29th (22.3).
- Minnesota ranks 22nd in blocks per game (4.3) while Chicago ranks 29th (3.7).
- Minnesota is 15-15-1 ATS at home, while Chicago is 15-12-1 ATS on the road.
- The Bulls have 17 overs and 11 unders in 28 road games.
- The Timberwolves have 17 overs, 13 unders and 1 push in 31 home games.
- In games where they hold opponents under 100 points, Minnesota is 16-4 and Chicago is 6-5.
- In games where they score over 100 points, the Timberwolves are 34-17 and the Bulls are 18-18.
- The Timberwolves rank sixth in points in the paint per game (48.3) while the Bulls rank 26th (41.0).
- Minnesota ranks fourth in rebounds allowed per game (41.5) while Chicago ranks 29th (45.8).
- The Timberwolves rank fifth in points off turnovers per game (18.1) while the Bulls rank 29th (14.3).
- The Bulls rank 15th in fast break points per game (11.1) while the Timberwolves rank 25th (9.6).
- Minnesota ranks third in second chance points per game (14.2) while Chicago ranks 26th (10.5).
Betting Trends:
- Minnesota is 0-5 ATS with 5 overs in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Chicago is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Timberwolves have been outscored by an average of 4.8 points in their last five games. For the season, Minnesota has defeated opponents by an average of 2.6 points.
- During their last five games, the Bulls have scored an average of 104.4 points per game (0.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 110.6 points per game (1.3 above their season average).