The Chicago Bulls (5-19) look to put an end to their six-game losing streak when they meet the Indiana Pacers (13-10) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The game can be seen on NBC Sports Chicago at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 4, 2018.
Indiana opened as an 8.5-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 208.5 points.
Chicago Bulls vs. Indiana Pacers ATS Prediction
In the Bulls’ last outing, they were topped by the Houston Rockets, 121-105, and failed to cover as 13-point underdogs. The game’s total points (226) were over the O/U total of 218. Houston’s effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over Chicago. The Rockets had a rate of 0.595 (above their season average of 0.532), while the Bulls posted a mark of 0.489. Zach LaVine led Chicago in scoring with 29 points on 11-for-17 shooting.
The Pacers lost a close one to the Sacramento Kings in their last matchup, 111-110, despite being 1.5-point favorites. The total points for the game (221) were under the O/U total of 225. Sacramento won the rebounding battle. The Kings had more offensive rebounds (14 vs. six) and total rebounds (46 vs. 42). With 14 points and 12 rebounds, Indiana’s Myles Turner put together a solid performance.
Indiana could have difficulty getting to the free throw line in this battle. The Pacers currently rank 28th in the league with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.173, while Chicago ranks fourth in FTA rate allowed (0.182). Furthermore, the 30th-ranked offense of the Bulls (offensive efficiency of 99.5) will face a tough test against the fourth-ranked defense of the Pacers (defensive efficiency of 103.2).
Chicago heads into the contest with records of 5-19 straight up (SU) and 11-13 against the spread (ATS). Of the Bulls’ 24 games, 16 have finished under the projected point total.
Meanwhile, Indiana owns records of 13-10 SU and 10-12-1 ATS. Pacers games also have a tendency to finish under the total (56.5 percent).
Jabari Parker has averaged 21 points,8.2 rebounds over the last five games for Chicago.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. Victor Oladipo scored a game-high 25 points in the first matchup, in which the Pacers beat the Bulls 107-105 but did not cover as 7-point favorites. He also recorded 14 rebounds and 5 assists. The game finished with a total of 212 points, which was just 1.5 points below the projected point total of 213.5 points. One of Indiana’s biggest advantages was their ability to convert at the free throw line. They were 20-22 (90.9 percent), while the Bulls were just 8-9 (88.9 percent).
Bulls vs. Pacers Odds Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Pacers, ATS Winner – Bulls, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Indiana averages 9.4 steals per game, which ranks third in the NBA. Chicago ranks 20th in steals allowed per game (8.2).
Indiana ranks 18 in three pointers allowed per game (31.47826086956522) while Chicago ranks 27 (34.708333333333336).
The Pacers rank 10 in assists per game (24.47826086956522) while the Bulls rank 18 in assists allowed per game (24.791666666666668).
Chicago is 4-8 ATS on the road, while Indiana is 5-5 ATS at home.
Bettings Trends:
Over its last five contests, Chicago is 2-3 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Indiana is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over its last five games.
The Bulls’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 10.8, up from 9.6 for the season.
During their last five games, the Pacers have scored an average of 107.2 points per game (1.0 above their season average) and allowed an average of 103.6 points per game (0.9 above their season average).
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