New Orleans Pelicans at Chicago Bulls NBA Picks & Predictions 10/8/2017

Sunday, October 8, 2017

United Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The New Orleans Pelicans head to United Center to take on the Chicago Bulls on Sunday, October 8, 2017.

The Pelicans head into this matchup after finishing last year with a mark of 34-48. They were 4th in the Southwest Division. They had a point differential of -2.1 as they averaged 104.3 points per contest while giving up 106.4 per game. The Bulls had an overall record of 41-41 last season. They were 4th in the Central Division. They averaged 102.9 points per game and surrendered 102.4, good for a point differential of 0.5.

Valuable New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans were 38-42-2 against the spread last season

The New Orleans Pelicans were 38-44-0 against the over/under last year

Important Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

The Chicago Bulls were 42-40-0 against the spread last season

The Chicago Bulls were 32-50-0 against the over/under last year

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

10/5/2017 Cheick Diallo F Ankle Questionable for start of season
10/2/2017 Frank Jackson G Foot Expected to be out until at least Dec 1
9/29/2017 Omer Asik C Illness Questionable for start of season
8/27/2017 Solomon Hill F Hamstring Expected to be out until at least Feb 28

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

10/3/2017 Lauri Markkanen F Back Questionable for start of season
10/2/2017 Quincy Pondexter G Hamstring Questionable for start of season
9/26/2017 Zach LaVine G Knee Expected to be out until at least Nov 24
8/30/2017 Cameron Payne G Foot Expected to be out until at least Nov 30

Player Spotlight

Demarcus Cousins comes into this game after averaging 27 points per contest while playing 34.2 minutes per night last year. He grabbed 11 rebounds per contest and distributed 4.6 assists per game. His FG percentage was 45% while his free throw percentage was 77%. Anthony Davis averaged 28 points per contest in 36.1 minutes per game last year. He averaged 2.1 assists per game and 11.8 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage was 51% for the season while his free throw percentage was 80%.

Player Spotlight

Robin Lopez scored 10.4 points per contest while playing 28 minutes per game last season. He hauled in 6.4 rebounds per contest and had 1.1 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage was 49% and his free throw percentage finished at 72%. Nikola Mirotic averaged 10.6 points per game last year and he saw the court an average of 24 minutes per game. He also brought in 5.5 rebounds per game and had 1.1 assists per contest. His field goal percentage was 41% and his free throw percentage was 77%.

Useful Team Statistics

New Orleans averaged 104.3 points per contest last year, which was 18th in the league. Their average scoring margin was -2.1 and their shooting percentage was 45% as a unit, which had them ranked 20th. From 3-point territory they shot 35%, which was good for 19th in the NBA. They averaged 43.7 boards per contest and 22.8 assists per game, which ranked them 13th and 12th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they were 26th with 12.9 per game. The Pelicans allowed 106.4 points per contest, which was 17th in the NBA. They also surrendered a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 9th and 10th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents averaged 48.3 rebounds a game which ranked 30th, and they allowed 23.4 assists per game which put them in 20th place in the league. They forced 14 turnovers per game which ranked them 15th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Chicago was 23rd in the NBA with 102.9 points per contest last season. They were 25th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin was 0.43. They shot 34% from beyond the arc, which was good for 24th in the league. They were 3rd in the NBA in rebounding with 46.3 boards per contest and 14th in assists per game with 22.6. The Bulls were 18th in turnovers per contest with 13.6. The Bulls gave up 102.4 points per game, which ranked them 6th in the league. Their defense surrendered a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 15th and 6th in those defensive statistics. They ranked 22nd with 23.6 dimes allowed per game and 13th with 43.2 boards surrendered per contest. The Bulls were 11th in the league in forcing turnovers with 13.4 per contest last year.

Advanced Statistics

The Pelicans were 26th in the league in defensive rating with 107.4, and their offensive rating of 105.2 was ranked 22nd. They were 8th in the NBA in pace with 98 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% was 20th. As a unit they were 22nd in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shot 3-pointers on 31% of their shot attempts, ranking 16th in the NBA. New Orleans was 27th in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 11.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year was 51%, which was 19th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Chicago was 21st in the NBA in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 12.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season was 51%, which was 22nd in the league. The Bulls were 20th in the NBA in offensive rating with 107.4, and their defensive rating of 107 was ranked 25th. In terms of pace they were 20th in the league with 95.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 49% was 30th. As a team they were 28th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shot 3-pointers on 26% of their shots, ranking 28th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take New Orleans

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