The Chicago Bulls (3-20) will try to snap their 10-game losing streak when they challenge the Charlotte Hornets (9-14) at Spectrum Center. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, December 8, 2017, and will air on NBC Sports Chicago.
Charlotte opened as an 11-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 202 points.
Chicago Bulls at Charlotte Hornets Free Prediction
The Bulls are hoping for a better outcome after their 98-96 loss to the Indiana Pacers in their last matchup. Indiana’s turnover percentage was their largest strength over Chicago. The Pacers had a rate of 12.5 (better than their season average of 12.6), while the Bulls posted a mark of 15.1. Kris Dunn led Chicago in scoring with 18 points on 8-for-14 shooting.
In the Hornets’ last game, they fell to the Golden State Warriors, 101-87. Golden State’s effective field goal percentage was their largest advantage over Charlotte. The Warriors had a rate of 0.542 (below their season average of 0.588), while the Hornets posted a mark of 0.381 (below their season average of 0.495). With 24 points on 8-for-21 shooting, Kemba Walker was Charlotte’s high scorer.
Charlotte should be expected to protect the ball well in this contest. Charlotte ranks first in the league at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 13.2 percent), while Chicago forces the fewest turnovers (12.5 percent). Moreover, the Bulls rank 24th in offensive rebounding percentage (20.2 percent), while the Hornets rank fourth in defensive rebounding percentage (81.0 percent).
Chicago holds records of 3-20 straight up (SU) and 9-11-3 against the spread (ATS). Of the Bulls’ 23 games, 14 have finished under the O/U total.
Meanwhile, Charlotte is 9-14 SU and 10-12-1 ATS. Coinciding with Chicago, a little over half of Hornets games have finished under the total.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, the Hornets lost 123-120, unable to cover as 6.5-point favorites. Walker scored a game-high 47 points and also had six rebounds and five assists. The game finished with a total of 243 points, which was 44.5 points above the projected point total of 198.5 points. The Bulls’ turnover percentage was their largest advantage over the Hornets. Chicago had a rate of 10.2, while Charlotte posted a mark of 11.1.
Chicago Bulls at Charlotte Hornets Odds Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Hornets, ATS Winner – Bulls, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Chicago is 6-6-1 ATS with 7 overs and 6 unders.
At home, Charlotte is 8-4 ATS with 7 unders and 5 overs.
In games where they allow under 100 points, Charlotte is 5-1 and Chicago is 2-5.
When scoring over 100 points, the Hornets are 9-6 and the Bulls are 2-6.
Charlotte ranks second in rebounds per game (47.0) while Chicago ranks 26th in rebounds allowed per game (46.1).
The Bulls average 31.5 three pointers per game, which ranks seventh in the league. The Hornets rank 27th in three pointers allowed per game (32.0).
Charlotte ranks 15th in points in the paint per game (43.0) while Chicago ranks 29th (37.5).
The Hornets rank first in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.6) while the Bulls rank 14th (17.2).
Charlotte ranks second in fast break points allowed per game (8.2) while Chicago ranks 14th (11.0).
The Bulls rank 18th in assists per game (22.0) while the Hornets rank 28th (20.2).
Charlotte ranks 20th in blocks per game (4.4) while Chicago ranks 28th (3.4).
The Hornets rank fifth in steals allowed per game (7.0) while the Bulls rank ninth (7.4).
Charlotte leads the league with 9.8 second chance points allowed per game while Chicago is fourth with 10.3 second chance points allowed per game.
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Chicago is 2-2-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Charlotte is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders, 1 over and 1 push over their last five games.
The Bulls’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 6.2, down from 11.2 for the season.
During their last five games, the Hornets have scored an average of 98.0 points per game (6.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 106.4 points per game (0.2 above their season average).
