Philadelphia 76ers at Chicago Bulls NBA Picks & Predictions 12/18/2017

Monday, December 18, 2017

United Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Philadelphia 76ers travel to United Center to play the Chicago Bulls on Monday, December 18, 2017.

The 76ers head into this matchup with a mark of 14-14. They are 4th in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of -0.4 as they are averaging 108.9 points per contest while giving up 109.3 per game. The Bulls have an overall mark of 8-20. They currently are 5th in the Central Division. They are averaging 98.2 points per contest and giving up 105.9, which is a point differential of -7.7.

Valuable Philadelphia 76ers Betting Trends

The Philadelphia 76ers are 16-12-0 against the spread

The Philadelphia 76ers are 15-13-0 against the over/under

Important Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

The Chicago Bulls are 15-11-2 against the spread

The Chicago Bulls are 13-15-0 against the over/under

Key Philadelphia 76ers Injuries

12/17/17 PF Trevor Booker Ankle left last game, is "?" Monday vs Chicago
10/25/17 PG Markelle Fultz Shoulder is out indefinitely

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

12/17/17 F Lauri Markkanen Back is "?" Monday vs Philadelphia
10/12/17 PG Zach LaVine Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Joel Embiid comes into this contest averaging 24.1 points per game while playing 31.4 minutes per night so far this season for the 76ers. He pulls down 11 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.5 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage is currently at 81%. Ben Simmons averages 17.3 points per game in 36.8 minutes per contest this season. He averages 7.8 assists per contest and 8.9 rebounds per game for Philadelphia. His field goal percentage is 51% for the year while his free throw percentage is 56%.

Player Spotlight

Lauri Markkanen averages 14.7 points per game while playing 30.7 minutes per contest this year for the Bulls. He grabs 8.1 rebounds per game and has 1.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 40% and his free throw percentage currently is at 84%. Kris Dunn averages 12.9 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 28.2 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.8 rebounds per contest and 5.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 62%.

Useful Team Statistics

Philadelphia averages 108.9 points per contest this season, which ranks them 6th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -0.39 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 12th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 21st in the league. They average 48.8 rebounds per game and 26.4 assists per game, which ranks them 1st and 3rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 1st with 17.9 per game. The 76ers allow 109.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 26th in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 3rd and 4th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 43.1 rebounds a game which ranks 17th and they give up 21.9 assists per contest, which puts them in 13th place in the league. They force 14.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 12th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Chicago is 28th in the league with 98.2 points per game this year. They are 30th in the league in shooting at 43%, while their average scoring margin is -7.68. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 27th in the NBA. They are 8th in the league in rebounding with 44.8 boards per game, and 17th in assists per contest with 22.3. The Bulls are 22nd in turnovers per game with 14. The Bulls surrender 105.9 points per contest, which ranks them 17th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 19th and 15th in those defensive statistics. They rank 23rd with 24.3 assists allowed per contest and 28th with 46 rebounds surrendered per game. The Bulls are 1st in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 12.9 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The 76ers are 17th in the NBA in offensive rating with 106.6, and their defensive rating of 106.9 is ranked 17th. In terms of pace they are 5th in the league with 100.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 16th. As a team they are 16th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 16th in the league. Philadelphia is 1st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 27th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Chicago is 23rd in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.8 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 9th in the league. The Bulls are 30th in the NBA in offensive rating with 100.7, and their defensive rating of 108.6 is ranked 13th. In terms of pace they are 16th in the league with 96.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 49% is 29th. As a team they are 30th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 51% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 17th in the league.

Who will win tonight's 76ers/Bulls NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Chicago

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