San Antonio Spurs at Chicago Bulls NBA Picks & Predictions 10/21/2017

Saturday, October 21, 2017

United Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The San Antonio Spurs travel to United Center to play the Chicago Bulls on Saturday, October 21, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has San Antonio as 8.5 point favorites.

The Spurs come into this game after finishing last season with an overall record of 61-21. They were 1st in the Southwest Division. They had a point differential of 7.2 as they averaged 105.3 points per game while giving up 98.1 per contest. 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 San Antonio Spurs Betting Trends

The San Antonio Spurs were 42-39-1 against the spread last season

The San Antonio Spurs were 43-37-2 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 San Antonio Spurs Injuries

10/19/17 SF Kawhi Leonard Quad is OUT Saturday vs Chicago
10/17/17 PG Tony Parker Quad out indefinitely

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

10/18/17 F Bobby Portis Suspension 8-game suspension (eligible to return 11/7 vs Toronto)
10/17/17 F Nikola Mirotic Facial out indefinitely
10/16/17 PG Cameron Payne Foot out indefinitely
10/12/17 PG Zach LaVine Knee out indefinitely
10/06/17 PG Kris Dunn Finger out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

LaMarcus Aldridge averaged 17.3 points per game in 32.4 minutes per contest last season. He averaged 1.9 assists per contest and 7.3 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage was 48% for the year while his free throw percentage was 81%. Rudy Gay comes into this contest after averaging 18.7 points per game while playing 33.8 minutes per night last season. He pulled down 6.3 rebounds per game and dished out 2.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage was 46% while his free throw percentage was at 86%.

Player Spotlight

Justin Holiday averaged 7.7 points per game last season and he saw the court an average of 20 minutes per contest. He also averaged 2.7 rebounds per contest and 1.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage was 43% and his free throw percentage was 83%. Robin Lopez averaged 10.4 points per game while playing 28 minutes per contest last year. He grabbed 6.4 rebounds per game and had 1.1 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage was 49% and his free throw percentage finished at 72%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Spurs allowed 98.1 points per game to their opponents which ranked them 2nd in the league. They also allowed a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 3rd and 5th in those defensive categories. Opponents averaged 41.5 rebounds a game which ranked 5th, and they gave up 21.4 assists per contest which put them in 7th place in the league. They forced 14.4 turnovers per game which ranked them 19th in the league. San Antonio averaged 105.3 points per contest last season, which ranked them 14th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin was 7.2 and their shooting percentage was 47% as a team, which had them ranked 7th. Behind the arc they shot 39% which was good for 1st in the league. They averaged 43.9 rebounds per game and 23.8 assists per game, which ranked them 11th and 8th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they ranked 21st with 13.4 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

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

Advanced Statistics

The Spurs were 9th in the league in defensive rating with 103.5, and their offensive rating of 111.1 was ranked 30th. They were 27th in the NBA in pace with 94.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% was 10th. As a unit they were 8th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shot 3-pointers on 28% of their shot attempts, ranking 24th in the NBA. San Antonio was 17th in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.5 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year was 49%, which was 29th 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 Spurs/Bulls NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Chicago +8.5

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