The Los Angeles Lakers (9-38) look to end their seven-game losing streak when they take on the Chicago Bulls (25-19) at the Staples Center. The game starts at 10:30 pm ET on Thursday, Jan. 28 and will air on TNT.
The Lakers lost a tough one against the Mavericks 92-90 on Tuesday. Jordan Clarkson finished with 18 points to lead the team. The Bulls, meanwhile, are coming off an 89-84 loss at the hands of the Heat on Monday. Pau Gasol scored 19 points and recorded 17 rebounds earning his 25th double-double of the season.
The stingy Bulls defense should have a clear edge in terms of effective field goal percentage. They rank third in the league in forcing misses (opponents’ effective field goal percentage of 46.6%), while the brick-laying Lakers offense is 30th with a mark of 45.7%.
The Lakers are looking to improve on their records of 9-38 Straight Up (SU) and 21-26 Against The Spread (ATS). They have performed well enough in the Eastern Conference to earn an ATS record of 11-5, but only have a SU record of 6-10.
On the other side, the Bulls head into the game with records of 17-27 ATS and 25-19 SU. Chicago has been particularly bad ATS over its past 10 matchups, going 2-8. Chicago is the best rebounding teams in the NBA. The Bulls average a league-leading 48.9 rebounds per game. Switching gears to Chicago’s defense, teams seem to consistently miss shots against the Bulls, who are the top team in the league in terms of opponent field goal percentage allowed at .425. They average 6.1 blocks per game, good for fifth in the league.
The Lakers and the Bulls will be facing off in their first head-to-head clash of the season. When they last met the Lakers were winners, but the Bulls still lead the head-to-head record over the last 10, 6-4 SU. Additionally, with a 6-4 record, the Bulls have the advantage ATS.
Predictions: SU Winner – Chi
Notes
LA Lakers are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games.
LA Lakers are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of the LA Lakers last 13 games at home.
LA Lakers are 1-7 SU in their last 8 games at home.
LA Lakers are 2-6 SU in their last 8 games when playing Chicago.
The total has gone UNDER in 16 of the LA Lakers last 22 games when playing Chicago.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the LA Lakers last 5 games when playing at home against Chicago.
LA Lakers are 7-2 SU in their last 9 games when playing at home against Chicago.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago’s last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers.
Chicago ranks 18th in points per game with 101.3, while Los Angeles ranks 28th in points allowed with an average of 106.2 given up.
Chicago scores an average of 103.0 points per away game (ranked sixth). Los Angeles ranks 21st in points allowed per home game with 101.9.
In games where they allow fewer than 100 points, the Chicago Bulls are a stellar 19-3. In games where they score fewer than 100 points, the Los Angeles Lakers have a subpar record of 4-29.
When Chicago allows at least 100 points, it has a poor 6-16 record this season. Los Angeles also has a losing record when it hits triple digits (5-9).
The Lakers have a defensive rating of 109.0 (ranked 30th), while the Bulls rank 26th for their offensive rating of 101.3.
Los Angeles has an average field goal percentage of 41.3%. Chicago is a losing 10-16 when opponents have a similar or higher field goal percentage.
On average, Los Angeles attempts 24.0 three pointers and Chicago attempts 21.0 per game. In games where the teams have 25 or more three point attempts, both have losing records. The Lakers are 4-19 while the Bulls sit at 3-6.
Los Angeles has an assist to turnover ratio of 1.37 this season (ranked 26th). Chicago ranks higher with an A/TO of 1.55 (ranked 17th).
The Bulls earn a league-high 48.9 rebounds per game, while the Lakers rank 18th with 42.9 per game.
The Chicago Bulls rank fifth in offensive rebounding, while the Los Angeles Lakers rank 24th in defensive rebounding.
Chicago has forced an average turnover percentage of 11.1% this season. Los Angeles has an abysmal 6-29 record when its TOV% is 11.1% or higher.
