The Washington Wizards (13-26) will travel to the United Center to meet the Chicago Bulls (14-27). The Bulls opened as 4.5-point favorites. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 227 points and it will air on NBC Sports Chicago at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 15, 2020.
Washington Wizards at Chicago Bulls ATS Odds
Both teams did not cover as underdogs in their last contest. The Bulls (9.5-point underdogs) were defeated by the Boston Celtics, 113-101, while the Wizards (6.5-point underdogs) fell to the Utah Jazz, 127-116. The Chicago game hit the projected point total of 214, while the Washington game went 17.5 points over the projected point total of 225.5.
Washington had a better turnover percentage (8.2 vs. 9.8) while Chicago had a better effective field goal percentage (0.494 vs. 0.524). Chicago rallied around Zach LaVine, who recorded 30 points and five rebounds. Ian Mahinmi, meanwhile had a good game for Washington, putting up 15 points, seven assists and six rebounds.
In their first matchup this season, Lauri Markkanen led the Bulls to a 110-109 victory. He scored a game-high 31 points. The two teams combined to put up 219 points, which was under the projected point total of 229.5, and Chicago covered as a 1-point underdog. Chicago’s effective field goal percentage was its largest strength over Washington. The Bulls had a rate of 0.459 while the Wizards posted a mark of 0.432.
Games including the Wizards have typically finished over the total (56.4 percent). Washington holds records of 13-26 straight up (SU) and 20-19 against the spread (ATS).
Of the Bulls’ 41 games, 20 have finished over the total. Moreover, Chicago owns records of 14-27 SU and 19-22 ATS.
This has potential to be a mistake-prone game for the offense of Chicago. Chicago ranks 20th in the NBA in ball protection (turnover percentage of 14.1 percent), while the pesky defense of Washington forces the eighth-most turnovers in the league (14.3 percent).
Washington Wizards at Chicago Bulls Pick
NBA Pick: SU Winner – Bulls, ATS Winner – Wizards, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Bulls average 35.1 three pointers per game, which ranks ninth in the league. The Wizards rank 12th in three pointers allowed per game (32.9).
- Chicago ranks 10th in second chance points allowed per game (12.5) while Washington ranks 28th (14.6).
- The Bulls rank 15th in points allowed in the paint per game (48.3) while the Wizards rank 27th (52.1).
- Washington ranks eighth in assists per game (25.8) while Chicago ranks 19th in assists allowed per game (24.4).
- Chicago ranks 23rd in rebounds per game (43.2) while Washington ranks 27th (42.5).
- The Bulls rank first in steals per game (9.9) while the Wizards rank 16th (7.7).
- The Wizards rank 22nd in blocks allowed per game (5.5) while the Bulls rank 29th (6.4).
- Chicago ranks sixth in fast break points per game (15.3) while Washington ranks ninth in fast break points allowed per game (12.4).
- Washington averages 18.2 points off turnovers per game, which ranks sixth in the NBA. Chicago ranks 19th in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.5).
- Washington is 3-0 when they allow below 100 points, while Chicago is 5-2.
- When reaching 100 points, the Bulls are 14-16 and the Wizards are 11-25.
- Chicago is 9-12 ATS at home, while Washington is 11-9 ATS on the road.
- The Wizards have 12 overs and 8 unders in 20 road games.
- Of the Bulls’ 21 home games, they have 11 unders and 10 overs.
Bettings Trends:
- The Wizards are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Bulls are 1-4.
- In their last five games, Washington has 3 unders and 2 overs, while Chicago has 3 overs, 1 under and 1 push.
- The Wizards’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 3.2, down from 5.0 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Bulls have scored an average of 106.4 points per game (0.7 above their season average) and allowed an average of 113.8 points per game (6.0 above their season average).
