The New Orleans Pelicans (24-21) square off against the Chicago Bulls (18-28) at Smoothie King Center. The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, January 22, 2018, and will air on NBC Sports Chicago.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 224.5 points with New Orleans opening as a 6-point favorite.
Chicago Bulls at New Orleans Pelicans Betting Prediction
The Bulls will be hoping for similar success after beating the Atlanta Hawks in their last outing, 113-97. Converting at the free throw line was one of Chicago’s biggest advantages. They were 19-21 (90.5 percent), while the Hawks were just 16-23 (69.6 percent). With 20 points on 9-for-13 shooting, Robin Lopez was the game’s leading scorer.
In the Pelicans’ last matchup, they beat the Memphis Grizzlies, 111-104. The Pelicans knocked down 26 of their 32 free throws (81.3 percent) and had a turnover percentage of 9.8 (better than their season average of 14.0). With 24 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, DeMarcus Cousins had a solid performance for New Orleans.
New Orleans could dominate on the offensive side of the ball as their elite offense faces off against one of the league’s worst defenses. The Pelicans currently rank third in effective field goal percentage (0.551), while Chicago ranks 22nd in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.531). The Bulls should have an advantage in terms of ball protection. They rank 5th at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 13.0 percent). Conversely, the Pelicans force the eighth-fewest turnovers in the league (opponents’ turnover percentage of 13.5 percent).
Although Chicago has a difficult time winning games straight up (18-28 SU), they are 27-16-3 against the spread (ATS). Vegas is known to place the total low when the Bulls are involved, as 26 of their 46 games have ended over the total.
Meanwhile, New Orleans owns records of 24-21 SU and 24-21 ATS. Much like Chicago, games featuring the Pelicans also tend to finish over the projected point total (60.0 percent).
Both teams have had a player step their game up over their last five games. Lauri Markkanen (19.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals) has been fantastic for the Bulls while Jrue Holiday (22.6 points, 5.4 assists and 2.6 steals) has contributed greatly to the Pelicans.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Anthony Davis scored a game-high 27 points and the Pelicans beat the Bulls 96-90, covering as 5.5-point favorites. He also recorded 16 rebounds. The game finished with a total of 186 points, which was 13.5 points below the projected point total of 199.5 points. The Pelicans made 17 of their 22 free throws (77.3 percent) and had a better turnover percentage (11.9 vs. 14.0).
Chicago Bulls vs. New Orleans Pelicans Betting Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Pelicans, ATS Winner – Bulls, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Chicago is 14-8-1 ATS on the road with 15 overs and 8 unders.
At home, New Orleans is 10-11 ATS with 15 overs and 6 unders.
In games where they allow below 100 points, Chicago is 6-5 and New Orleans is 7-1.
The Bulls are 16-12 when they reach 100 points, while the Pelicans are 22-14.
New Orleans ranks second in assists per game (26.2) while Chicago ranks 28th in assists allowed per game (25.0).
The Pelicans rank second in points in the paint per game (50.1) while the Bulls rank 27th (40.9).
Chicago ranks fifth in steals allowed per game (7.0) while New Orleans ranks 26th (8.6).
The Bulls average 30.5 three pointers per game, which ranks eighth in the NBA. The Pelicans rank 29th in three pointers allowed per game (31.6).
New Orleans ranks ninth in blocks per game (5.1) while Chicago ranks 27th (3.7).
The Bulls rank 11th in second chance points allowed per game (11.7) while the Pelicans rank 26th (13.6).
Chicago ranks 14th in fast break points allowed per game (11.1) while New Orleans ranks 26th (13.6).
The Pelicans average 42.9 rebounds per game, which ranks 16th in the NBA. The Bulls rank 28th in rebounds allowed per game (45.6).
New Orleans ranks 19th in points off turnovers per game (16.1) while Chicago ranks 28th (14.5).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Chicago is 5-0 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
New Orleans is 3-2 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over their last five games.
The Bulls have outscored opponents by an average of 4.4 points in their last five games. On the season, Chicago has lost by an average of 5.2 points.
During their last five games, the Pelicans have scored an average of 112.4 points per game (1.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 108.4 points per game (2.1 below their season average).
