Friday, December 25, 2015

Chesapeake Energy Arena

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

The Chicago Bulls travel to Chesapeake Energy Arena to play the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday, December 25, 2015. The opening line for this game has Oklahoma City as 8.5 point favorites and the over/under has been set at 206.

The Bulls come into this game with an overall record of 15-11 and a road record of 4-6. They are 2nd in the Central Division. They currently have a point differential of 0.8 as they are averaging 100.4 points per game while giving up 99.5 per contest. The Thunder have an overall record of 20-9 and a home record of 13-3. They currently are 1st in the Northwest Division. They are averaging 107.8 points per game and surrendering 99, good for a point differential of 8.8.

Jimmy Butler comes into this contest averaging 21.5 points per game while playing 37.5 minutes per night so far this season for the Bulls. He pulls down 5 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage is currently at 82%. Pau Gasol averages 15.9 points per game in 30.4 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.8 assists per contest and 10.8 rebounds per game for Chicago. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 77%.

Russell Westbrook averages 25.3 points per game while playing 34.1 minutes per contest this year for the Thunder. He grabs 6.9 rebounds per game and has 9.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage currently is at 83%. Kevin Durant averages 26.6 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 35.2 minutes per contest. He also averages 7.7 rebounds per contest and 4.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 53% and his free throw percentage is 89%.

Chicago averages 100.4 points per contest this season which ranks them 20th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 0.8 and their shooting percentage is 42% as a team which has them ranked 28th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 11th in the league. They average 58.6 rebounds per game and 22.7 assists per game which ranks them 1st and 10th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 12th with 14.4 per game. The Bulls allow 99.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 12th in the league. They also allow a 42% shooting percentage and a 32% average from behind the arc ranking them 1st and 4th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 57.3 rebounds a game which ranks 30th and they give up 21.7 assists per contest which puts them in 17th place in the league. They force 12.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 28th in the league.

Oklahoma City averages 107.8 points per game this year which ranks them 2nd in the league. Their average scoring margin is 8.8 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team which has them sitting in the 3rd spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 12th in the NBA. They average 56 rebounds per game and 21.3 assists per contest which ranks them 3rd and 17th respectively. In the turnover department the Thunder rank 25th with 16 per game. The Thunder allow 99 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 8th in the league. They also allow a 43% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc ranking them 3rd and 16th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 49.9 rebounds a game which ranks 5th and they give up 19.7 assists per contest which puts them in 3rd place in the league. The Thunder force 14.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 23rd in the NBA.

Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

The Chicago Bulls are 9-17-0 against the spread

The Chicago Bulls are 10-16-0 against the over/under

Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Trends

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 13-16-0 against the spread

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 9-20-0 against the over/under

Chicago Bulls Injuries

12/22/15 C Joakim Noah Shoulder expected to miss 2 weeks
09/26/15 G Mike Dunleavy Back out indefinitely

Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries

No key injuries to report

Josh's Pick: Take Oklahoma City

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