Chicago Bulls at Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Picks & Predictions 12/21/2017

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Quicken Loans Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Chicago Bulls travel to Quicken Loans Arena to play the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday, December 21, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Cleveland as 11 point favorites.

The Bulls come into this game with an overall record of 9-20. They are 5th in the Central Division. They currently have a point differential of -7.4 as they are averaging 98.8 points per game while giving up 106.2 per contest. The Cavaliers have an overall mark of 23-9. They currently are 1st in the Central Division. They are averaging 111.2 points per contest and giving up 107.4, which is a point differential of 3.8.

Valuable Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

The Chicago Bulls are 16-11-2 against the spread

The Chicago Bulls are 14-15-0 against the over/under

Important Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Trends

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 11-20-1 against the spread

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 16-15-1 against the over/under

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

12/19/17 F Paul Zipser Back is "?" Wednesday vs Orlando
10/12/17 PG Zach LaVine Knee is out indefinitely

Key Cleveland Cavaliers Injuries

11/30/17 G Iman Shumpert Knee is out indefinitely
11/17/17 PG Derrick Rose Ankle is out indefinitely
10/16/17 PG Isaiah Thomas Hip is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Lauri Markkanen comes into this contest averaging 14.5 points per game while playing 30.5 minutes per night so far this season for the Bulls. He pulls down 8 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 40% while his free throw percentage is currently at 84%. Kris Dunn averages 13.3 points per game in 28.4 minutes per contest this season. He averages 5.2 assists per contest and 4.7 rebounds per game for Chicago. His field goal percentage is 44% for the year while his free throw percentage is 64%.

Player Spotlight

Lebron James averages 28.2 points per game while playing 37.3 minutes per contest this year for the Cavaliers. He grabs 8.3 rebounds per game and has 9.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 57% and his free throw percentage currently is at 78%. Kevin Love averages 19.5 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 29.5 minutes per contest. He also averages 10.2 rebounds per contest and 2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is 87%.

Useful Team Statistics

Chicago averages 98.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 28th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -7.34 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a team, which has them ranked 30th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 25th in the league. They average 44.6 rebounds per game and 22.4 assists per game, which ranks them 9th and 16th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 23rd with 14 per game. The Bulls allow 106.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 19th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 19th and 16th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 46 rebounds a game which ranks 26th and they give up 24.5 assists per contest, which puts them in 26th place in the league. They force 13.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 2nd in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Cleveland is 3rd in the league with 111.2 points per game this year. They are 3rd in the league in shooting at 49%, while their average scoring margin is 3.78. They shoot 38% from 3-point range, which is good for 6th in the NBA. They are 22nd in the league in rebounding with 41.8 boards per game, and 4th in assists per contest with 24. The Cavaliers are 19th in turnovers per game with 14.5. The Cavaliers surrender 107.4 points per contest, which ranks them 23rd in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 20th and 24th in those defensive statistics. They rank 29th with 25.2 assists allowed per contest and 16th with 43 rebounds surrendered per game. The Cavaliers are 6th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.1 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Bulls are 30th in the league in defensive rating with 108.5, and their offensive rating of 101 is ranked 13th. They are 13th in the NBA in pace with 97.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 29th. As a unit they are 30th in the league in true shooting percentage with 52% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 17th in the NBA. Chicago is 23rd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.3 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 9th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Cleveland is 18th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.8 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 5th in the league. The Cavaliers are 3rd in the NBA in offensive rating with 114.3, and their defensive rating of 110.4 is ranked 5th. In terms of pace they are 15th in the league with 97 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 56% is 3rd. As a team they are 3rd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 60% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shots, ranking 2nd in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Cleveland -11

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