The Charlotte Hornets (28-35) will be at home when they play the Chicago Bulls (40-26). Action begins at 7:00 pm ET on Friday, Mar. 13 and can be seen on SPSO and WPWR.
The Hornets are are expecting a better outcome after their 113-106 loss to the Kings on Wednesday. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist was the team’s leading scorer with 23 points. The Bulls, meanwhile, are coming off a 104-95 win against the 76ers on Wednesday. Aaron Brooks was the game’s top scorer, accounting for 31 points on 12-for-20 shooting.
Over the last five games, Mo Williams has taken his game to another level for the Hornets, averaging 19.4 points, 1.2 rebounds, 9.0 assists, and 1.8 three-pointers.
The Hornets could put on a ball-control clinic in this one. They’re ranked first in the NBA at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of only 11.6%). Additionally, Chicago forces the fewest turnovers in the league (12.0%). Furthermore, the defense of the Bulls should have an advantage in terms of effective field goal percentage. They’re third in the league in forcing misses (opponents’ effective field goal percentage of 47.6%), while the offense of the Hornets ranks 29th in effective field goal percentage (46.1%).
Both teams have won a game in the season series. The Hornets had the upper hand in the most recent game, a 98-86 win. Pau Gasol had a double-double in the loss with 25 points and 13 rebounds.
The odds for Charlotte and Chicago are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. The Hornets have gone 28-35 Straight Up (SU) and 30-31-2 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 21-17 SU and 20-16-2 ATS against the Eastern Conference. Charlotte is one of the most disciplined teams in the league with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.9.
Over on the other bench, the Bulls have 40-26 SU and 30-36 ATS records. Against the Eastern Conference, Chicago is 23-14 SU and 17-20 ATS. The Bulls convert their free throws at a high percentage, ranking second in the league at .786. The Bulls have controlled the glass with an average of 46.1 per game, third in the league. The Bulls are a problem for teams on the defensive side, allowing only 6.2 field goals from three-point range per game. Blocking shots is an area where Chicago has excelled. The Bulls average 6.0 blocks per game, making them one of the best in the league.
With the Hornets’ last win against Chicago, Charlotte moved closer to evening up its record against Chicago. It now stands at 3-7 SU over the last 10 meetings. The teams are even ATS, with a 5-5 record. Over the last 10 matchups, Chicago held the advantage in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers five times. Charlotte performed this feat one time.
Predictions: SU Winner – CHI, ATS Winner – CHI
Notes
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Charlotte’s last 6 games.
Charlotte is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Charlotte’s last 5 games at home.
Charlotte is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games at home.
Charlotte is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games at home.
Charlotte is 3-11 SU in its last 14 games when playing Chicago.
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Charlotte’s last 11 games when playing Chicago.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Charlotte’s last 6 games when playing at home against Chicago.
Charlotte is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Chicago.
Chicago ranks 12th in points per game with 101.0, while Charlotte ranks seventh in points allowed with an average of 97.0 given up.
Chicago ranks 12th in points per away game with 100.0 points, while Charlotte ranks 10th in points allowed at home with 97.1.
In games where they allow fewer than 100 points, the Chicago Bulls are a stellar 27-9. In games where they score fewer than 100 points, the Charlotte Hornets have a losing record of 11-27.
When the Chicago Bulls allow at least 100 points they are 13-17, while the Charlotte Hornets are 17-8 when they reach the century mark.
Chicago’s offense and Charlotte’s defense both rank ninth this season. Chicago has an offensive rating of 104.2 and Charlotte has a defensive rating of 100.3.
The Chicago Bulls average a field goal percentage of 44.0% this season. The Charlotte Hornets have a subpar record of 8-24 when opponents have a FG% of 44.0% or greater.
Charlotte averages 18.5 three point attempts per game, and Chicago attempts 21.8 per game. In games where the teams have 25 or more three point attempts, the Hornets have a losing 1-2 record while the Bulls have a 10-11 record.
Charlotte has an assist to turnover ratio of 1.85 this season (ranked fourth), while Chicago ranks lower at 16th with an A/TO of 1.61.
The Chicago Bulls are one of the best rebounding teams in the league, earning 46.1 rebounds per game (ranked third). The Charlotte Hornets rank 10th, rebounding 44.1 times each contest.
The Hornets and the Bulls are well matched when it comes to rebounding. Charlotte is ranked fifth in defensive rebounding, and Chicago is also ranked fifth in offensive rebounding.
Chicago has forced an average turnover percentage of 12.0% this season. Charlotte has a losing 11-20 record when its TOV% is 12.0% or higher.
