Saturday, March 18, 2017

United Center

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The Utah Jazz travel to United Center to play the Chicago Bulls on Saturday, March 18, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Utah as 8 point favorites.

The Jazz come into this game with an overall record of 43-26. They are 1st in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 4.2 as they are averaging 100.5 points per game while giving up 96.3 per contest. The Bulls have an overall record of 32-36. They currently are 5th in the Central Division. They are averaging 101.8 points per game and surrendering 103.3, good for a point differential of -1.5.

Valuable Utah Jazz Betting Trends

The Utah Jazz are 30-36-3 against the spread

The Utah Jazz are 35-34-0 against the over/under

Important Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

The Chicago Bulls are 32-36-0 against the spread

The Chicago Bulls are 25-43-0 against the over/under

Key Utah Jazz Injuries

03/17/17 G Rodney Hood Knee "?" Saturday vs. Chicago
03/17/17 PG Shelvin Mack Ankle "?" Saturday vs. Chicago
03/13/17 F Derrick Favors Knee out indefinitely

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

03/17/17 G Cameron Payne Foot is downgraded to doubtful Friday vs. Washington
03/16/17 G Dwyane Wade Elbow out for season

Player Spotlight

Rudy Gobert comes into this contest averaging 13.2 points per game while playing 33.7 minutes per night so far this season for the Jazz. He pulls down 12.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 66% while his free throw percentage is currently at 66%. Gordon Hayward averages 21.9 points per game in 34.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3.5 assists per contest and 5.5 rebounds per game for Utah. His field goal percentage is 47% for the year while his free throw percentage is 86%.

For expert handicapping advice on this matchup and other NBA games check out our handicapping tips.

Player Spotlight

Jimmy Butler averages 23.2 points per game while playing 36.7 minutes per contest this year for the Bulls. He grabs 6.2 rebounds per game and has 5.1 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage currently is at 87%. Rajon Rondo averages 7.2 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 26.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 5 rebounds per contest and 6.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 39% and his free throw percentage is 61%.

Useful Team Statistics

Utah averages 100.5 points per contest this season which ranks them 28th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 4.13 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team which has them ranked 10th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 11th in the league. They average 43.1 rebounds per game and 19.7 assists per game which ranks them 20th and 28th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 17th with 13.8 per game. The Jazz allow 96.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 1st in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc ranking them 2nd and 14th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 40.3 rebounds a game which ranks 2nd and they give up 17.8 assists per contest which puts them in 1st place in the league. They force 12.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 2nd in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Chicago averages 101.8 points per game this year which ranks them 26th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -1.43 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team which has them sitting in the 29th spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 33% which is good for 29th in the NBA. They average 46.1 rebounds per game and 21.8 assists per contest which ranks them 3rd and 17th respectively. In the turnover department the Bulls rank 22nd with 13.2 per game. The Bulls allow 103.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 7th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc ranking them 19th and 11th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 42.9 rebounds a game which ranks 11th and they give up 24 assists per contest which puts them in 25th place in the league. The Bulls force 12.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 5th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

The Jazz have an offensive rating of 109.1 and a defensive rating of 104.6. In terms of pace they average 91.7 possessions per 48 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 53%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 56% and they shoot 3 pointers on 33% of their shots. Utah turns the ball over an average of 13.4 times per 100 possessions and they force 11.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 49%.

Advanced Statistics

The Bulls rating on offense is 107 and they have a defensive rating of 108.5. They get 94.8 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 48%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 52% and they attempt 3 pointers on 25% of their shot attempts. Chicago turns the ball over on 11.9 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 12 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 51%.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Chicago +8

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