The Chicago Bulls (18-30) clash against the Los Angeles Lakers (18-29) at United Center. The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, January 26, 2018, and will air on NBC Sports Chicago.
Chicago opened as a 4-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 218 points.
Los Angeles Lakers at Chicago Bulls Betting Prediction
The Lakers will be hoping for similar success after narrowly defeating the Boston Celtics in their last outing, 108-107. The Lakers had a free throw rate of 0.231 (above their season average of 0.176) and held the Celtics to an offensive rebounding percentage of 15.9 (below their season average of 21.0). Los Angeles received a boost from Kyle Kuzma, who led the team in scoring with 28 points on 10-for-16 shooting.
In the Bulls’ last game, they lost to the Philadelphia 76ers, 115-101. Philadelphia made 16 of their 32 three pointers (50.0 percent). Chicago, meanwhile, was 11-37 (29.7 percent). Bobby Portis had a solid performance for Chicago, leading the team in scoring with 22 points on 8-for-12 shooting.
Los Angeles could have a tough time creating turnovers. Chicago ranks sixth in the league at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 13.1 percent), while Los Angeles forces the 17th-most turnovers (14.0 percent).
Los Angeles holds records of 18-29 straight up (SU) and 24-23 against the spread (ATS). Games featuring the Lakers have a slight tendency to go over the O/U total (53.2 percent).
Although Chicago has trouble winning games outright (18-30 SU), they have a solid record ATS (28-17-3). Of the Bulls’ 48 games, 27 have finished over the total.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 21 points and eight rebounds and the Lakers beat the Bulls 103-94, covering as 5.5-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 197 points, which was 15 points below the projected point total of 212 points. The Lakers knocked down 18 of their 25 free throws (72.0 percent) and had a better turnover percentage (10.6 vs. 12.2).
Los Angeles Lakers at Chicago Bulls Odds Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Bulls, ATS Winner – Bulls, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Los Angeles is 10-11 ATS with 11 unders and 10 overs.
Chicago is 13-8-2 ATS at home with 12 unders and 11 overs.
Chicago is 6-5 when they allow under 100 points, while Los Angeles is 8-3.
When reaching 100 points, the Bulls are 16-14 and the Lakers are 15-16.
Los Angeles ranks first in points in the paint per game (53.4) while Chicago ranks 27th (41.4).
The Lakers average 46.3 rebounds per game, which ranks third in the league. The Bulls rank 28th in rebounds allowed per game (45.8).
Los Angeles ranks fourth in second chance points per game (14.2) while Chicago ranks 27th (10.2).
The Lakers rank seventh in assists per game (23.6) while the Bulls rank 28th in assists allowed per game (25.3).
Los Angeles ranks 12th in blocks per game (4.9) while Chicago ranks 29th (3.7).
The Bulls average 30.6 three pointers per game, which ranks eighth in the league. The Lakers rank 22nd in three pointers allowed per game (30.0).
Los Angeles ranks second in fast break points per game (17.0) while Chicago ranks 16th (10.9).
The Lakers rank 15th in points off turnovers per game (16.6) while the Bulls rank 27th (14.5).
Los Angeles ranks sixth in steals per game (8.4) while Chicago ranks seventh in steals allowed per game (7.1).
Betting Trends:
In their last five games, Los Angeles is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Chicago is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Lakers have outscored opponents by an average of 0.2 points in their last five games. On the season, Los Angeles has lost by an average of 3.3 points.
During their last five games, the Bulls have scored an average of 114.6 points per game (11.0 above their season average) and allowed an average of 114.8 points per game (5.8 above their season average).
