The Chicago Bulls welcome the Memphis Grizzlies to the United Center. Action begins at 8:00 pm ET on Wednesday, Dec. 16 and can be seen on ESP, CSC and C+D.
The Bulls enter this game hoping for similar success after dismantling the 76ers 115-96 on Monday. Jimmy Butler was the game’s leading scorer with 23 points on 8-for-14 shooting. The Grizzlies, meanwhile, are coming off a 112-95 win against the Wizards on Monday. Marc Gasol claimed his sixth double-double of the season with 24 points and 12 rebounds.
Over the last five games, Pau Gasol has taken his game to another level for the Bulls, averaging 18.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.0 steal, 1.8 blocks, and 0.8 three-pointers.
The Bulls defense could make it difficult on Memphis’s shooters. They rank first in the NBA in forcing misses (opponents’ effective field goal percentage of 45.1%), while the Memphis offense is 28th with a mark of 46.6%.
The Bulls are a four-point favorite against Memphis and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at 192 points. Despite being 14-8 Straight Up (SU), the Bulls have struggled to cover the spread in most of their matchups, only managing a record of 8-14 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 7-3 SU and 5-5 ATS against the Western Conference. The rebounding edge goes to the Bulls in this matchup, who average a league-best 48.9 rebounds per game. Crossing over to the defensive side of the court, it’s been a struggle for opposing teams to score on the Bulls. The 94.5 points that Chicago’s defense allows per home game makes them the third-ranked defense at home. Chicago’s defense can be considered for best in the league, allowing an NBA-best .410 opponent field-goal percentage. Opponents have consistently had their shots rejected by the Bulls, who rank fifth in the league in blocks per game with 6.1.
Over on the other bench, the Grizzlies have a record of 11-14-1 ATS and 14-12 SU. Against the Eastern Conference, Memphis is 5-4 SU and 3-5-1 ATS. The Grizzlies convert their free throws at a high percentage, leading the league at .826.
These two meet for what will be their first head-to-head battle of the season. Memphis won the last game in the matchup, bringing the head-to-head record to an even 5-5 SU over the last 10 meetings. With a 6-4 record, the Grizzlies have the advantage ATS.
Predictions: SU Winner – Chi, ATS Winner – Chi, O/U – Under
Notes
Chicago is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Chicago’s last 14 games.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago’s last 6 games.
Chicago is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games.
Chicago is 4-10 ATS in its last 14 games at home.
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Chicago’s last 15 games at home.
Chicago is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games at home.
Chicago is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Memphis.
Chicago is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Memphis.
Chicago is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Memphis.
Chicago is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Memphis.
On average, Memphis scores 96.6 points per game (ranked 26th), while Chicago allows 97.5 points per game (ranked sixth).
Memphis ranks 24th in points per away game with 96.0 points, while Chicago ranks third in points allowed at home with 94.5.
When allowing fewer than 100 points, the Bulls are 13-1 on the season. When the Grizzlies score fewer than 100, they are a losing 4-11.
The Chicago Bulls have an underachieving 1-7 record in games where they have allowed at least 100 points. The Memphis Grizzlies are 10-1 when they hit triple digits.
The Bulls have an offensive rating of 98.7 (ranked 27th). The Grizzlies rank 22nd for their defensive rating of 104.8.
The Chicago Bulls average 100.1 possessions per game and .987 points per possession, while the Memphis Grizzlies earn fewer possessions (96.2) but more points per possession (1.004).
The Memphis Grizzlies average an effective field goal percentage of 46.6% this season. The Chicago Bulls have a losing record of 3-5 when opponents have an EFF% of 46.6% or greater.
Chicago makes an average of 22.6 assists per game (ranked eighth), while Memphis makes 20.8 assists per game (ranked 19th).
Chicago makes an average of 6.1 blocks per game (ranked fifth), while Memphis makes 4.0 blocks per game (ranked 25th).
Chicago is ranked 16th in offensive rebounding. Memphis ranks 29th in defensive rebounds.
Memphis averages 8.5 steals per game (ranked 10th). Chicago is 5-6 when allowing at least 8 steals.