Chicago Bulls at Washington Wizards NBA Picks & Predictions 12/31/2017

Sunday, December 31, 2017

Capital One Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Chicago Bulls travel to Capital One Arena to play the Washington Wizards on Sunday, December 31, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Washington as 4 point favorites.

The Bulls come into this game with an overall record of 13-22. They are 5th in the Central Division. They currently have a point differential of -5.7 as they are averaging 100.2 points per game while giving up 105.9 per contest. The Wizards have an overall mark of 20-16. They currently are 1st in the Southeast Division. They are averaging 106.1 points per contest and giving up 103.8, which is a point differential of 2.3.

Valuable Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

The Chicago Bulls are 21-12-2 against the spread

The Chicago Bulls are 18-17-0 against the over/under

Important Washington Wizards Betting Trends

The Washington Wizards are 18-18-0 against the spread

The Washington Wizards are 12-23-1 against the over/under

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

12/29/17 PG Kris Dunn Knee is "?" Sunday vs Washington
10/12/17 PG Zach LaVine Knee is out indefinitely

Key Washington Wizards Injuries

12/30/17 G Bradley Beal Arm injured last game, is probable Sunday vs Chicago
12/29/17 F Mike Scott Personal is "?" Sunday vs Chicago

Player Spotlight

Lauri Markkanen comes into this contest averaging 14.7 points per game while playing 29.5 minutes per night so far this season for the Bulls. He pulls down 7.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 41% while his free throw percentage is currently at 83%. Kris Dunn averages 13.2 points per game in 28.6 minutes per contest this season. He averages 5.9 assists per contest and 4.6 rebounds per game for Chicago. His field goal percentage is 43% for the year while his free throw percentage is 67%.

Player Spotlight

Bradley Beal averages 22.9 points per game while playing 35.1 minutes per contest this year for the Wizards. He grabs 4.3 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 79%. John Wall averages 18.2 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 33 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.6 rebounds per contest and 8.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is 70%.

Useful Team Statistics

Chicago averages 100.2 points per contest this season, which ranks them 27th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -5.63 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 30th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 20th in the league. They average 44.7 rebounds per game and 23.4 assists per game, which ranks them 9th and 6th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 24th with 13.9 per game. The Bulls allow 105.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 18th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 16th and 11th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.3 rebounds a game which ranks 26th and they give up 24.4 assists per contest, which puts them in 26th place in the league. They force 12.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 1st in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Washington is 12th in the league with 106.1 points per game this year. They are 12th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 2.22. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 16th in the NBA. They are 16th in the league in rebounding with 43.3 boards per game, and 16th in assists per contest with 22.6. The Wizards are 25th in turnovers per game with 13.8. The Wizards surrender 103.8 points per contest, which ranks them 12th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 45% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 10th and 1st in those defensive statistics. They rank 8th with 21.5 assists allowed per contest and 24th with 44 rebounds surrendered per game. The Wizards are 22nd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.3 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Bulls are 30th in the league in defensive rating with 107.9, and their offensive rating of 102.2 is ranked 15th. They are 11th in the NBA in pace with 97.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 28th. 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 16th in the NBA. Chicago is 23rd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 12th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Washington is 27th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 24th in the league. The Wizards are 11th in the NBA in offensive rating with 108.5, and their defensive rating of 106.3 is ranked 24th. In terms of pace they are 12th in the league with 97.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 19th. As a team they are 16th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 31% of their shots, ranking 20th in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Washington -4

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