The Chicago Bulls (27-25) will be at home when they play the Los Angeles Lakers (11-44). The game starts at 8:00 pm ET on Sunday, Feb. 21 and will air on ESP, WGN and TWC.
The Bulls lost big to the Hawks 113-90 the last time they played. Pau Gasol put in a solid effort despite the loss for Chicago, recording 20 points and 10 rebounds to earn his 30th double-double of the season. The Lakers, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their 120-111 loss to the Cavaliers in their last outing. Lou Williams had a team-high 28 points.
Gasol has been playing at a high level over the last five games for the Bulls. During that stretch, he has averaged 20.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.2 blocks, and 1.8 three-pointers. Kobe Bryant has also been on a tear in the same span, averaging 25.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.0 steal, and 4.4 three-pointers while leading the Lakers.
The defense for Chicago 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 47.4%), while the offense of Los Angeles is 30th with a mark of 45.8%.
This is the second game of the year between these two teams, with the Bulls winning the first matchup 114-91. Jimmy Butler put up 26 points and 10 assists.
The Bulls have gone 28-26 Straight Up (SU) and 21-33 Against The Spread (ATS). They have a solid 8-2 ATS record over their last 10 games, but have not fared as well SU (2-8). The rebounding edge goes to the Bulls in this matchup, who average a league-best 47.9 rebounds per game. Chicago’s defense can be considered one of the best in the league. The Bulls allow a .431 opponent field-goal percentage, one of the lowest shooting rates in the league. Opponents have consistently had their shots rejected by the Bulls, who rank fifth in the league in blocks per game with 5.9.
Over on the other bench, Los Angeles has a SU record of 11-45 and an ATS record of 28-28. Against the Eastern Conference, Los Angeles is 11-45 SU and 28-28 ATS.
Chicago won the last meeting this season between these two teams, bumping its SU record to 7-3 over the Lakers in their last 10 meetings. The Bulls also hold the advantage ATS with a record of 6-4.
Predictions: SU Winner – Chi
Notes
Los Angeles ranks 27th in points per game with 96.8, while Chicago ranks 18th in points allowed with an average of 102.1 given up.
Los Angeles scores an average of 97.3 points per away game (ranked 23rd), while Chicago allows 98.9 points per home game (ranked 11th).
When allowing fewer than 100 points, the Bulls are 20-3 on the season. When the Lakers score fewer than 100, they are a subpar 5-33.
When Chicago gives up at least 100 points, it has an abysmal 7-22 record this season. Los Angeles also has a subpar record when it reaches the century mark (6-11).
The Lakers have a defensive rating of 108.9 (ranked 30th). The Bulls rank 26th for their offensive rating of 101.2.
The Chicago Bulls average 100.0 possessions and 1.012 points per possession in games this season. The Los Angeles Lakers average fewer possessions with 98.3, as well as fewer points per possession with .982.
The Chicago Bulls average an effective field goal percentage of 47.7% this season. The Los Angeles Lakers have an abysmal record of 5-36 when opponents have an EFF% of 47.7% or greater.
On average, the Chicago Bulls make 21.9 assists per game and the Los Angeles Lakers make 18.2. Chicago is ranked 14th, while Los Angeles is ranked 30th.
The Chicago Bulls average 5.9 blocks per game for a rank of fifth. The Los Angeles Lakers rank lower (21st), earning 4.4 blocks each game.
The Chicago Bulls rank sixth in offensive rebounding, while the Los Angeles Lakers rank 21st in defensive rebounding.
The Chicago Bulls average 6.1 steals per game. When giving up 6 or more steals, the Los Angeles Lakers have a subpar record (9-35) this season.
