Saturday, December 31, 2016

United Center

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

The Milwaukee Bucks travel to United Center to play the Chicago Bulls on Saturday, December 31, 2016. The opening line for this matchup has Chicago as 3 point favorites. The Bucks come into this game with an overall record of 15-15. They are 3rd in the Central Division. They currently have a point differential of 2.6 as they are averaging 105.0 points per game while giving up 102.4 per contest. The Bulls have an overall record of 16-16. They currently are 2nd in the Central Division. They are averaging 100.7 points per game and surrendering 99.8, good for a point differential of 0.8.

Jabari Parker comes into this contest averaging 20.3 points per game while playing 33.1 minutes per night so far this season for the Bucks. He pulls down 5.8 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 50% while his free throw percentage is currently at 74%. Giannis Antetokounmpo averages 23.4 points per game in 34.9 minutes per contest this season. He averages 5.9 assists per contest and 9 rebounds per game for Milwaukee. His field goal percentage is 52% for the year while his free throw percentage is 79%.

Jimmy Butler averages 24.5 points per game while playing 36.5 minutes per contest this year for the Bulls. He grabs 6.6 rebounds per game and has 4.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage currently is at 89%. Dwyane Wade averages 19.1 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 30.5 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.2 rebounds per contest and 3.6 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 82%.

Milwaukee averages 105 points per contest this season which ranks them 15th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 2.6 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team which has them ranked 4th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 13th in the league. They average 51.8 rebounds per game and 24.8 assists per game which ranks them 20th and 3rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 15th with 13.8 per game. The Bucks allow 102.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 10th in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc ranking them 4th and 2nd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 51.6 rebounds a game which ranks 12th and they give up 23.8 assists per contest which puts them in 25th place in the league. They force 14.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 15th in the league.

Chicago averages 100.7 points per game this year which ranks them 23rd in the league. Their average scoring margin is 0.8 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team which has them sitting in the 27th spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 31% which is good for 30th in the NBA. They average 56 rebounds per game and 21 assists per contest which ranks them 2nd and 23rd respectively. In the turnover department the Bulls 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 statistics. Opponents average 50 rebounds a game which ranks 6th and they give up 24 assists per contest which puts them in 26th place in the league. The Bulls force 13.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 23rd in the NBA.

The Bucks have an offensive rating of 108.6 and a defensive rating of 106. In terms of pace they average 95.9 possessions per 48 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 52%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 56% and they shoot 3 pointers on 29% of their shots. Milwaukee turns the ball over an average of 12.8 times per 100 possessions and they force 13.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 49%.

The Bulls rating on offense is 106.6 and they have a defensive rating of 105.7. They get 94.4 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 47%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 52% and they attempt 3 pointers on 23% of their shot attempts. Chicago turns the ball over on 12.3 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 12.1 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 50%.

Milwaukee Bucks Betting Trends

The Milwaukee Bucks are 14-16-0 against the spread

The Milwaukee Bucks are 18-11-1 against the over/under

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

Milwaukee Bucks Injuries

12/29/16 F Mirza Teletovic Concussion "?" Friday vs. Minnesota
12/26/16 G Rashad Vaughn Ankle expected to miss 2-3 weeks
10/22/16 F Khris Middleton Hamstring out indefinitely

Chicago Bulls Injuries

12/29/16 G Dwyane Wade Migraine probable Friday vs. Indiana
12/29/16 G Jimmy Butler Ankle injured last game, probable Friday vs. Indiana

Josh's Pick: Take Chicago -3

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald