Friday, December 30, 2016

Bankers Life Fieldhouse

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The Chicago Bulls travel to Bankers Life Fieldhouse to play the Indiana Pacers on Friday, December 30, 2016. The opening line for this matchup has Indiana as 3.5 point favorites and the total is set at 204.5. The Bulls come into this game with an overall record of 16-16. They are 2nd in the Central Division. They currently have a point differential of 0.8 as they are averaging 100.7 points per game while giving up 99.8 per contest. The Pacers have an overall record of 15-18. They currently are 4th in the Central Division. They are averaging 103.9 points per game and surrendering 106.0, good for a point differential of -2.1.

Jimmy Butler comes into this contest averaging 24.5 points per game while playing 36.5 minutes per night so far this season for the Bulls. He pulls down 6.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage is currently at 89%. Dwyane Wade averages 19.1 points per game in 30.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3.6 assists per contest and 4.2 rebounds per game for Chicago. His field goal percentage is 44% for the year while his free throw percentage is 82%.

Paul George averages 21.8 points per game while playing 36 minutes per contest this year for the Pacers. He grabs 6.7 rebounds per game and has 3.4 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage currently is at 92%. Jeff Teague averages 15.7 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 32.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.9 rebounds per contest and 7.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 84%.

Chicago averages 100.7 points per contest this season which ranks them 23rd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 0.8 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team which has them ranked 28th. Behind the arc they shoot 31% which is good for 30th in the league. They average 56 rebounds per game and 21 assists per game which ranks them 2nd and 23rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 12th with 13.6 per game. The Bulls allow 99.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 5th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc ranking them 14th and 18th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 50 rebounds a game which ranks 6th and they give up 24 assists per contest which puts them in 27th place in the league. They force 13.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 23rd in the league.

Indiana averages 103.9 points per game this year which ranks them 18th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -2.1 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team which has them sitting in the 14th spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 12th in the NBA. They average 49.9 rebounds per game and 22 assists per contest which ranks them 26th and 15th respectively. In the turnover department the Pacers rank 19th with 14.3 per game. The Pacers allow 106 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 20th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc ranking them 8th and 3rd in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 54.8 rebounds a game which ranks 27th and they give up 22.5 assists per contest which puts them in 19th place in the league. The Pacers force 15.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 4th in the NBA.

The Bulls have an offensive rating of 106.6 and a defensive rating of 105.7. In terms of pace they average 94.4 possessions per 48 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 47%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 52% and they shoot 3 pointers on 23% of their shots. Chicago turns the ball over an average of 12.3 times per 100 possessions and they force 12.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%.

The Pacers rating on offense is 105 and they have a defensive rating of 107.1. They get 97.7 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 50%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 54% and they attempt 3 pointers on 27% of their shot attempts. Indiana turns the ball over on 13 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 13.9 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 50%.

Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

The Chicago Bulls are 15-17-0 against the spread

The Chicago Bulls are 10-22-0 against the over/under

Indiana Pacers Betting Trends

The Indiana Pacers are 12-21-0 against the spread

The Indiana Pacers are 18-15-0 against the over/under

Chicago Bulls Injuries

No key injuries to report

Indiana Pacers Injuries

12/29/16 PG Rodney Stuckey Hamstring doubtful Friday vs. Chicago

Guy's Pick: Take Indiana -3.5

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