Boston Celtics at Chicago Bulls NBA Picks & Predictions 12/11/2017

Monday, December 11, 2017

United Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Boston Celtics travel to United Center to play the Chicago Bulls on Monday, December 11, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Boston as 8 point favorites.

The Celtics come into this game with an overall record of 22-5. They are 1st in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of 6.9 as they are averaging 104.4 points per game while giving up 97.5 per contest. The Bulls have an overall mark of 5-20. They currently are 5th in the Central Division. They are averaging 96.9 points per contest and giving up 106.8, which is a point differential of -9.9.

Valuable Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 19-7-1 against the spread

The Boston Celtics are 14-13-0 against the over/under

Important Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

The Chicago Bulls are 12-11-2 against the spread

The Chicago Bulls are 11-14-0 against the over/under

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

12/10/17 C Aron Baynes Stomach is probable Sunday vs Detroit
12/09/17 SF Marcus Morris Knee is "?" Sunday vs Detroit
10/17/17 SF Gordon Hayward Ankle is out indefinitely

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

10/12/17 PG Zach LaVine Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Jayson Tatum comes into this contest averaging 14.3 points per game while playing 30.7 minutes per night so far this season for the Celtics. He pulls down 5.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 51% while his free throw percentage is currently at 84%. Kyrie Irving averages 24 points per game in 31.9 minutes per contest this season. He averages 4.8 assists per contest and 3 rebounds per game for Boston. His field goal percentage is 50% for the year while his free throw percentage is 87%.

Player Spotlight

Robin Lopez averages 13.4 points per game while playing 30.4 minutes per contest this year for the Bulls. He grabs 5.6 rebounds per game and has 2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 53% and his free throw percentage currently is at 77%. Lauri Markkanen averages 14.7 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 30.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 8.1 rebounds per contest and 1.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 40% and his free throw percentage is 84%.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston averages 104.4 points per contest this season, which ranks them 17th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 6.85 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 20th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 9th in the league. They average 45.1 rebounds per game and 22.4 assists per game, which ranks them 7th and 16th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 24th with 14.2 per game. The Celtics allow 97.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 1st in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 2nd and 2nd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 42.4 rebounds a game which ranks 10th and they give up 20.7 assists per contest, which puts them in 5th place in the league. They force 14.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 11th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Chicago is 29th in the league with 96.9 points per game this year. They are 30th in the league in shooting at 42%, while their average scoring margin is -9.88. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 27th in the NBA. They are 12th in the league in rebounding with 44.4 boards per game, and 18th in assists per contest with 22.2. The Bulls are 20th in turnovers per game with 14.4. The Bulls surrender 106.8 points per contest, which ranks them 18th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 47% shooting percentage and a 38% average from 3-point range, ranking them 21st and 25th in those defensive statistics. They rank 24th with 24.4 assists allowed per contest and 26th with 46 rebounds surrendered per game. The Bulls are 1st in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 12.7 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 11th in the league in defensive rating with 101.3, and their offensive rating of 108.4 is ranked 30th. They are 25th in the NBA in pace with 95.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 14th. As a unit they are 11th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shot attempts, ranking 7th in the NBA. Boston is 22nd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 49%, which is 29th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Chicago is 23rd in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 6th in the league. The Bulls are 30th in the NBA in offensive rating with 99.4, and their defensive rating of 109.5 is ranked 8th. In terms of pace they are 16th in the league with 96.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 48% is 30th. As a team they are 30th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 51% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 12th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Celtics/Bulls NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Chicago +8

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