The Detroit Pistons (32-31), 3.5-point favorites, will be at the United Center to go head-to-head with the Chicago Bulls (19-47) in a Central Division matchup. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 218 points and it will air on NBC Sports Chicago at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, March 8, 2019.
Detroit Pistons vs. Chicago Bulls ATS Odds
Both teams covered in their last game. The Bulls (3.5-point underdogs) defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 108-107, while the Pistons (4.5-point favorite) beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 131-114. The Chicago game finished 15.5 points under the projected point total of 230.5, while the Detroit game finished 22 points over the projected point total of 223.
Detroit dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a fantastically low turnover percentage of 4.6 (better than their season average of 12.1) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 26.2 (above their season average of 24.3). For those same stats, Minnesota had marks of 12.2 and 16.2, respectively. Meanwhile, Chicago’s 11.0 turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over Philadelphia, who had a rate of 13.3. The Bulls’ mark was better than their season average of 12.4. Chicago’s Zach LaVine had a good outing, contributing 39 points and five rebounds. Detroit rallied around Andre Drummond, who recorded 31 points and 15 rebounds.
In their two matchups this year, the Pistons have won both. In their most recent game, the two teams combined for 195 points, well under the projected point total of 217. Detroit won 107-88, covering as a 9-point favorite. Detroit won the rebounding battle. The Pistons had 13 offensive rebounds and 52 total rebounds, while the Bulls had seven and 40, respectively. Drummond put up a double-double in the victory with 19 points and 20 rebounds.
Just over half of the Pistons’ games have finished under the total. Detroit heads into the game with records of 32-31 straight up (SU) and 31-31-1 against the spread (ATS).
Vegas tends to place the total high when the Bulls are involved, as 37 of their 63 games have finished under the total. Further, Chicago is 19-47 SU and 30-34-2 ATS.
It might be a tough matchup for Chicago on the offensive glass. The Bulls rank 30th in offensive rebounding percentage (18.8 percent), while Detroit ranks fourth in defensive rebounding percentage (79.2 percent).
Detroit Pistons at Chicago Bulls Betting Pick
Free NBA Pick: SU Winner – Pistons, ATS Winner – Pistons, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Detroit ranks second in three pointers allowed per game (28.4) while Chicago ranks 25th (33.6).
- The Bulls rank 17th in fast break points per game (12.1) while the Pistons rank last (9.7).
- Chicago averages 48.9 points in the paint per game, which ranks 14th in the NBA. Detroit ranks 19th in points allowed in the paint per game (49.7).
- Detroit is 26th in the NBA with 22.5 assists per game while Chicago is 27th with 22.2 assists per game.
- The Pistons rank seventh in rebounds allowed per game (43.6) while the Bulls rank 25th (46.5).
- The Bulls rank 26th in blocks per game (4.5) while the Pistons rank 29th (3.9).
- Detroit ranks second in second chance points allowed per game (11.1) while Chicago ranks 15th (13.3).
- Chicago is 8-5 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while Detroit is 10-2.
- When scoring over 100 points, the Bulls are 15-28 and the Pistons are 29-20.
- Chicago is 13-20 ATS at home, while Detroit is 15-15 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone under in 17 of the Pistons’ 30 road games, while 20 of the Bulls’ 33 home games have gone under.
Bettings Trends:
- The Pistons are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Bulls are 3-2.
- In their last five games, Detroit has 4 overs and 1 under, while Chicago has 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Pistons have outscored opponents by an average of 10.0 points in their last five games. For the season, Detroit has been defeated by an average of 0.1 points.
- During their last five games, the Bulls have scored an average of 119.8 points per game (14.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 120.6 points per game (8.2 above their season average).