Chicago Bulls at Charlotte Hornets NBA Picks & Predictions 12/8/2017

Friday, December 8, 2017

Spectrum Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Chicago Bulls travel to Spectrum Center to play the Charlotte Hornets on Friday, December 8, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Charlotte as 10.5 point favorites.

The Bulls come into this game with an overall record of 3-20. They are 5th in the Central Division. They currently have a point differential of -11.1 as they are averaging 95.7 points per game while giving up 106.8 per contest. The Hornets have an overall record of 9-14. They currently are 4th in the Southeast Division. They are averaging 104.6 points per game and surrendering 106.2, good for a point differential of -1.6.

Valuable Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

The Chicago Bulls are 10-11-2 against the spread

The Chicago Bulls are 9-14-0 against the over/under

Important Charlotte Hornets Betting Trends

The Charlotte Hornets are 10-12-1 against the spread

The Charlotte Hornets are 10-12-1 against the over/under

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

12/07/17 F Nikola Mirotic Facial is "?" Friday vs Charlotte
10/12/17 PG Zach LaVine Knee is out indefinitely

Key Charlotte Hornets Injuries

12/07/17 F Cody Zeller Knee left last game, is "?" Friday vs Chicago
12/07/17 C Frank Kaminsky Ankle left last game, is "?" Friday vs Chicago

Player Spotlight

Robin Lopez comes into this contest averaging 13.3 points per game while playing 29.9 minutes per night so far this season for the Bulls. He pulls down 5.5 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.1 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 52% while his free throw percentage is currently at 77%. Lauri Markkanen averages 14.3 points per game in 30.6 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.4 assists per contest and 7.9 rebounds per game for Chicago. His field goal percentage is 39% for the year while his free throw percentage is 83%.

Player Spotlight

Kemba Walker averages 22.7 points per game while playing 35.2 minutes per contest this year for the Hornets. He grabs 3.8 rebounds per game and has 6.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage currently is at 86%. Jeremy Lamb averages 15.3 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 28 minutes per contest. He also averages 5 rebounds per contest and 3.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 86%.

Useful Team Statistics

Chicago averages 95.7 points per contest this season, which ranks them 29th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -11.17 and their shooting percentage is 42% as a team, which has them ranked 30th. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 26th in the league. They average 44.1 rebounds per game and 22 assists per game, which ranks them 13th and 19th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 21st with 14.4 per game. The Bulls allow 106.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 18th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 38% average from behind the arc, ranking them 24th and 27th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 46.1 rebounds a game which ranks 26th and they give up 24.5 assists per contest, which puts them in 25th place in the league. They force 12.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 1st in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Charlotte is 16th in the league with 104.6 points per game this year. They are 28th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is -1.57. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 25th in the NBA. They are 2nd in the league in rebounding with 47 boards per game, and 28th in assists per contest with 20.2. The Hornets are 30th in turnovers per game with 13.6. The Hornets surrender 106.2 points per contest, which ranks them 16th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 9th and 6th in those defensive statistics. They rank 17th with 23 assists allowed per contest and 18th with 43.7 rebounds surrendered per game. The Hornets are 3rd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.5 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Bulls are 30th in the league in defensive rating with 110.4, and their offensive rating of 98.8 is ranked 5th. They are 20th in the NBA in pace with 96.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 48% is 30th. As a unit they are 30th in the league in true shooting percentage with 51% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shot attempts, ranking 10th in the NBA. Chicago is 24th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 5th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Charlotte is 30th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 18th in the NBA. The Hornets are 22nd in the league in defensive rating with 106.9, and their offensive rating of 105.4 is ranked 18th. They are 10th in the NBA in pace with 98.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 29th. As a unit they are 27th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shot attempts, ranking 24th in the NBA.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Charlotte -10.5

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 Tony Sink