New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls NBA Picks & Predictions 12/27/2017

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

United Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The New York Knicks head to United Center to take on the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, December 27, 2017. The opening line for this game has Chicago as 2 point favorites.

The Knicks come into this game with an overall record of 17-16. They are 3rd in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of 0.7 as they are averaging 104.2 points per game while giving up 103.5 per contest. The Bulls have an overall mark of 10-22. They currently are 5th in the Central Division. They are averaging 99.4 points per contest and giving up 106.4, which is a point differential of -7.0.

Valuable New York Knicks Betting Trends

The New York Knicks are 19-14-0 against the spread

The New York Knicks are 15-17-1 against the over/under

Important Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

The Chicago Bulls are 18-12-2 against the spread

The Chicago Bulls are 16-16-0 against the over/under

Key New York Knicks Injuries

12/05/17 G Tim Hardaway Jr. Leg is out indefinitely

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

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

Player Spotlight

Enes Kanter comes into this game averaging 13.5 points per contest while playing 25.7 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 10 rebounds per contest and distributes 1.4 assists per game. His FG percentage is 61% while his free throw percentage is 89%. Kristaps Porzingis averages 24.7 points per contest in 31.7 minutes per game this year. He averages 1.3 assists per game and 6.7 rebounds per contest for New York. His field goal percentage is 45% for the season while his free throw percentage is 85%.

Player Spotlight

Kris Dunn has scored 12.8 points per contest while playing 28.3 minutes per game this season for the Bulls. He hauls in 4.7 rebounds per contest and has 5.7 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is at 66%. Lauri Markkanen averages 14.6 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 29.9 minutes per game. He also brings in 7.6 rebounds per game and 1.3 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is 86%.

Useful Team Statistics

New York averages 104.2 points per contest this year, which is 18th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 0.63 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a unit, which has them ranked 8th. From 3-point territory they shoot 37%, which is good for 14th in the NBA. They average 44.1 boards per contest and 22.7 assists per game, which ranks them 12th and 12th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 6th with 15.9 per game. The Knicks allow 103.5 points per contest which is 11th in the NBA. They also surrender a 44% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 4th and 13th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 40.2 rebounds a game which ranks 1st, and they allow 22.4 assists per game which puts them in 15th place in the league. They force 14.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 11th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Chicago is 28th in the NBA with 99.4 points per contest this season. They are 30th in the league in shooting at 43%, while their average scoring margin is -6.97. They shoot 35% from beyond the arc, which is good for 25th in the league. They are 9th in the NBA in rebounding with 44.7 boards per contest and 9th in assists per game with 23.1. The Bulls are 23rd in turnovers per contest with 14. The Bulls give up 106.4 points per game, which ranks them 20th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 18th and 12th in those defensive statistics. They rank 27th with 24.6 dimes allowed per game and 26th with 45.3 boards surrendered per contest. The Bulls are 1st in the league in forcing turnovers with 12.8 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Knicks are 10th in the league in defensive rating with 107.7, and their offensive rating of 108.3 is ranked 16th. They are 20th in the NBA in pace with 95.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 15th. As a unit they are 14th in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 26% of their shot attempts, ranking 30th in the NBA. New York is 5th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 22nd in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Chicago is 24th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 9th in the league. The Bulls are 30th in the NBA in offensive rating with 101.7, and their defensive rating of 108.9 is ranked 12th. In terms of pace they are 13th in the league with 97.1 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 17th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take New York +2

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