The Indiana Pacers (19-19) look to snap their five-game losing streak when they meet the Chicago Bulls (14-25) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The game will air on WGN Channel 9 at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 6, 2018.
Chicago Bulls at Indiana Pacers Free Prediction
The last time the Bulls played, they defeated the Dallas Mavericks, 127-124. The Bulls knocked down 25 of their 31 free throws (80.6 percent) and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 22.9 (above their season average of 20.1). With 32 points on 12-for-17 shooting, Kris Dunn was the game’s high scorer.
The Pacers were blown out by the Milwaukee Bucks in their last matchup, 122-101. Milwaukee made good use of their 28 trips to the charity stripe, making 25 of them (89.3 percent). Indiana, meanwhile, was 16-19 (84.2 percent). Indiana’s Lance Stephenson put up 15 points, seven rebounds and five assists in the contest.
The productive offense of Indiana (ninth in the NBA with an offensive efficiency of 108.2) will square off against the mid-tier defense of Chicago (21st in the league with a defensive efficiency of 107.8). The Pacers figure to have the advantage on that end of the court. Moreover, the Bulls rank 29th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.156), while the Pacers rank first in opponents’ FTA rate (0.161).
Chicago has a respectable 21-14-3 record against the spread (ATS), despite being 14-25 straight up (SU). Vegas is known to set the total low when the Bulls are involved, as 55.3 percent of their games have gone over the O/U total.
Meanwhile, Indiana is 19-19 SU and 20-18 ATS. Contrary to Chicago, just over half of Pacers games have finished under the total.
Lauri Markkanen has averaged 19.2 points and 7.6 rebounds over the last five games for Chicago.
The Pacers lead the season series against the Bulls two games to one, but dropped their most recent game, 119-107. Indiana covered as a 2-point underdog and the game finished with a total of 226 points, which was 21 points above the projected point total of 205 points. Chicago was lights out from beyond the arc (18-39; 46.2 percent). Indiana, on the other hand, had a much better turnover percentage (8.9 vs. 14.1). Markkanen was the game’s leading scorer with 32 points.
Chicago Bulls at Indiana Pacers Betting Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Bulls, ATS Winner – Bulls, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Chicago is 11-7-1 ATS with 13 overs and 6 unders.
Indiana is 10-10 ATS at home with 12 unders, 7 overs and 1 push.
Chicago is 5-5 when they allow below 100 points, while Indiana is 9-1.
In games where they reach the century mark, the Bulls are 12-10 and the Pacers are 17-8.
Indiana ranks fifth in points off turnovers per game (18.3) while Chicago ranks 29th (14.1).
The Bulls rank fifth in assists per game (23.7) while the Pacers rank 24th in assists allowed per game (24.2).
Indiana ranks 11th in steals per game (7.8) while Chicago ranks 25th (7.0).
The Bulls rank 12th in three pointers attempted per game (29.8) while the Pacers rank 25th (25.0).
Indiana ranks 14th in points in the paint per game (43.6) while Chicago ranks 27th (40.5).
The Pacers rank fourth in fast break points per game (14.2) while the Bulls rank 17th (9.9).
Indiana ranks 15th in rebounds allowed per game (43.0) while Chicago ranks 26th (45.3).
The Pacers rank 19th in blocks per game (4.6) while the Bulls rank 29th (3.6).
Chicago averages 10.8 second chance points per game, which ranks 23rd in the league. Indiana ranks 24th in second chance points allowed per game (13.2).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Chicago is 3-2 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
Indiana is 0-5 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 0.4, down from 5.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the Pacers have scored an average of 95.0 points per game (11.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 110.6 points per game (3.2 above their season average).
