The Chicago Bulls (8-20) put their five-game winning streak on the line when they take on the Philadelphia 76ers (14-14) at United Center. The game will air on NBC Sports Chicago at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, December 18, 2017.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 209.5 points with Philadelphia set as a 1.5-point favorite.
Philadelphia 76ers at Chicago Bulls ATS Prediction
The 76ers are hoping for a better outcome after their 119-117 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in their last outing. Oklahoma City out-rebounded Philadelphia. The Thunder had more offensive rebounds (18 vs. seven) and total rebounds (60 vs. 50). Joel Embiid was the top scorer from either team with 34 points on 11-for-20 shooting.
The last time the Bulls played, they beat the Milwaukee Bucks, 115-109. Chicago out-rebounded Milwaukee. The Bulls had more offensive rebounds (14 vs. nine), defensive rebounds (36 vs. 34) and total rebounds (50 vs. 43). Bobby Portis was Chicago’s high scorer with 27 points on 9-for-16 shooting.
Chicago should be expected to protect the ball well in this contest. Chicago ranks fifth in the league at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 13.2 percent), while Philadelphia forces the fifth-fewest turnovers (13.4 percent). Also, the 76ers’ fourth-ranked defense (effective field goal percentage allowed of 0.501) will battle against the Bulls’ 29th-ranked offense (effective field goal percentage of 0.486).
Philadelphia comes into the game with records of 14-14 straight up (SU) and 16-12 against the spread (ATS). Of the 76ers’ 28 games, 15 have finished over the projected point total.
Meanwhile, Chicago is 8-20 SU and 14-11-3 ATS. In opposition of Philadelphia, games involving the Bulls have a slight tendency to go under the projected point total (53.6 percent).
Kris Dunn has averaged 16.0 points, 7.6 assists, 6.0 rebounds and 2.2 steals over the last five games for Chicago.
After the Bulls won three out of four contests against the 76ers last season, these teams will go head-to-head for the first time this year. In the last matchup, Chicago won 102-90. Chicago had a better effective field goal percentage (0.473 vs. 0.401). Philadelphia, meanwhile, had a better turnover percentage (11.4 vs. 14.0).
Philadelphia 76ers at Chicago Bulls ATS Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Bulls, ATS Winner – Bulls, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Philadelphia is 8-6 ATS on the road with 9 overs and 5 unders.
Chicago is 6-5-2 ATS at home with 9 unders and 4 overs.
When allowing below 100 points, Philadelphia is 4-0 and Chicago is 3-5.
The 76ers are 13-9 when they score above 100 points, while the Bulls are 7-6.
Philadelphia ranks first in rebounds per game (48.8) while Chicago ranks 28th in rebounds allowed per game (46.0).
The 76ers rank fifth in points in the paint per game (47.4) while the Bulls rank 27th (39.3).
Chicago ranks sixth in steals allowed per game (7.0) while Philadelphia ranks 26th (9.1).
The Bulls rank ninth in blocks allowed per game (4.5) while the 76ers rank 29th (5.8).
Philadelphia ranks third in assists per game (26.4) while Chicago ranks 23rd in assists allowed per game (24.3).
The 76ers rank fourth in second chance points per game (14.8) while the Bulls rank 22nd (10.9).
Philadelphia ranks 11th in three pointers attempted per game (30.1) while Chicago ranks 22nd in three pointers allowed per game (30.2).
The 76ers rank 22nd in points off turnovers per game (15.5) while the Bulls rank 29th (13.8).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Philadelphia is 1-4 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Chicago is 5-0 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over their last five games.
The 76ers’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 2.6, up from 0.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the Bulls have scored an average of 109.8 points per game (11.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 101.4 points per game (4.5 below their season average).
