Indiana Pacers at Chicago Bulls NBA Picks & Predictions 12/29/2017

Friday, December 29, 2017

United Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Indiana Pacers travel to United Center to play the Chicago Bulls on Friday, December 29, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Indiana as 1 point favorites.

The Pacers come into this game with an overall record of 19-16. They are 3rd in the Central Division. They currently have a point differential of 0.8 as they are averaging 107.5 points per game while giving up 106.7 per contest. The Bulls have an overall mark of 12-22. They currently are 5th in the Central Division. They are averaging 99.7 points per contest and giving up 105.8, which is a point differential of -6.1.

Valuable Indiana Pacers Betting Trends

The Indiana Pacers are 20-15-0 against the spread

The Indiana Pacers are 15-19-1 against the over/under

Important Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

The Chicago Bulls are 20-12-2 against the spread

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

Key Indiana Pacers Injuries

12/28/17 G Victor Oladipo Knee is OUT Friday vs Chicago
09/29/17 G Glenn Robinson III Ankle is out indefinitely

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

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

Player Spotlight

Bojan Bogdanovic comes into this contest averaging 14 points per game while playing 31.6 minutes per night so far this season for the Pacers. He pulls down 3.2 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 48% while his free throw percentage is currently at 84%. Myles Turner averages 14.6 points per game in 30.4 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.6 assists per contest and 6.9 rebounds per game for Indiana. His field goal percentage is 50% for the year while his free throw percentage is 77%.

Player Spotlight

Kris Dunn averages 13.2 points per game while playing 28.6 minutes per contest this year for the Bulls. He grabs 4.6 rebounds per game and has 5.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage currently is at 67%. Lauri Markkanen averages 14.2 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 29.5 minutes per contest. He also averages 7.4 rebounds per contest and 1.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 40% and his free throw percentage is 82%.

Useful Team Statistics

Indiana averages 107.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 8th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 0.77 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team, which has them ranked 5th. Behind the arc they shoot 39% which is good for 2nd in the league. They average 41.9 rebounds per game and 22.8 assists per game, which ranks them 20th and 11th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 25th with 13.8 per game. The Pacers allow 106.7 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 21st in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 24th and 19th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 43.3 rebounds a game which ranks 16th and they give up 23.8 assists per contest, which puts them in 21st place in the league. They force 15.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 20th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Chicago is 28th in the league with 99.7 points per game this year. They are 30th in the league in shooting at 43%, while their average scoring margin is -6.15. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 25th in the NBA. They are 8th in the league in rebounding with 44.9 boards per game, and 7th in assists per contest with 23.2. The Bulls are 24th in turnovers per game with 13.9. The Bulls surrender 105.8 points per contest, which ranks them 16th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 17th and 11th in those defensive statistics. They rank 26th with 24.5 assists allowed per contest and 26th with 45.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Bulls are 1st in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Pacers are 8th in the NBA in offensive rating with 110.1, and their defensive rating of 109.3 is ranked 10th. In terms of pace they are 14th in the league with 97 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 6th. As a team they are 7th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shots, ranking 24th in the league. Indiana is 24th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 6th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Chicago is 25th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 13th in the league. The Bulls are 30th in the NBA in offensive rating with 101.6, and their defensive rating of 107.9 is ranked 15th. In terms of pace they are 11th in the league with 97.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 49% is 28th. As a team they are 30th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 52% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 18th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Chicago +1

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