The Chicago Bulls (22-42) will try to end their eight-game road losing streak in a matchup against the Detroit Pistons (29-36) at Little Caesars Arena. The game can be seen on Fox Sports – Detroit at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, March 9, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 214 points with Detroit set as an 8-point favorite.
Chicago Bulls vs. Detroit Pistons ATS Prediction
The Bulls will be hoping for similar success after topping the Memphis Grizzlies in their last matchup, 119-110. The Bulls knocked down 24 of their 32 free throws (75.0 percent) and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 27.3 (above their season average of 19.8). Chicago received a boost from Kris Dunn, who had 21 points and nine assists.
The last time the Pistons played, they lost a close one to the Toronto Raptors, 121-119. Toronto’s 8.4 turnover percentage was their largest advantage over Detroit, who had a rate of 14.6. The Raptors’ mark was better than their season average of 11.5. Blake Griffin had a good game for Detroit, leading the team in scoring with 31 points on 12-for-21 shooting.
Chicago could struggle to create turnovers. Detroit ranks eighth in the league at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 13.3 percent), while Chicago forces the first-fewest turnovers (12.6 percent).
Chicago comes into the contest with records of 22-42 straight up (SU) and 32-29-3 against the spread (ATS). Of the Bulls’ 64 games, 34 have finished over the O/U total.
Meanwhile, Detroit is 29-36 SU and 28-35-2 ATS. Contrary to Chicago, just over half of Pistons games have finished under the total.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. Andre Drummond put up 21 points and 15 rebounds in the first game, in which the Pistons lost 107-105, unable to cover as 1-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 212 points, which was just 2 points above the projected point total of 210 points. Chicago’s effective field goal percentage was its biggest advantage over Detroit. The Bulls had a rate of 0.580 while the Pistons posted a mark of 0.511.
Chicago Bulls vs. Detroit Pistons Free Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Bulls, ATS Winner – Bulls, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Chicago is 15-15-1 ATS with 19 overs and 12 unders.
At home, Detroit is 14-19-1 ATS with 17 unders, 16 overs and 1 push.
In games where they allow under 100 points, Detroit is 15-6 and Chicago is 6-5.
The Pistons are 26-16 when they score over 100 points, while the Bulls are 20-20.
Detroit ranks 11th in points off turnovers per game (16.8) while Chicago ranks 27th (14.7).
The Bulls average 23.4 assists per game, which ranks 11th in the league. The Pistons rank 27th in assists allowed per game (25.0).
Chicago ranks seventh in three pointers attempted per game (30.5) while Detroit ranks 21st in three pointers allowed per game (30.1).
The Pistons rank second in fast break points allowed per game (9.2) while the Bulls rank 14th (11.6).
Chicago ranks seventh in rebounds per game (44.7) while Detroit ranks 18th in rebounds allowed per game (43.5).
The Pistons rank 13th in points in the paint per game (44.3) while the Bulls rank 17th in points allowed in the paint per game (44.8).
Chicago ranks fifth in steals allowed per game (7.1) while Detroit ranks seventh (7.3).
The Pistons rank fourth in second chance points allowed per game (11.2) while the Bulls rank sixth (11.4).
Neither of these teams are great at blocking the ball. Chicago is 29th in the NBA with 3.7 blocks per game while Detroit is last with 3.7 blocks per game.
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Chicago is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Detroit is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Bulls’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 6.2, up from 6.0 for the season.
During their last five games, the Pistons have scored an average of 104.2 points per game (1.1 above their season average) and allowed an average of 108.0 points per game (3.6 above their season average).
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