Boston Celtics at Chicago Bulls NBA Picks & Predictions 12/8/2018

Saturday, December 8, 2018

United Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Boston Celtics head to United Center to take on the Chicago Bulls on Saturday, December 8, 2018. The opening line for this game has Boston as 8.5 point favorites.

The Celtics have a record of 14-10. They are 3rd in the Atlantic Division. They have a point differential of 5.4 as they average 109.3 points per game while giving up 104.0 per contest. The Bulls have an overall mark of 5-20. They currently are 5th in the Central Division. They total 102.8 points per contest and give up 112.3, which is a point differential of -9.4.

Valuable Boston Celtics Betting Trends

The Boston Celtics are 11-13-0 against the spread this season

The Boston Celtics are 14-10-0 against the over/under this year

Important Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

The Chicago Bulls are 12-13-0 against the spread this season

The Chicago Bulls are 8-17-0 against the over/under this year

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

12/07/18 C Aron Baynes Ankle injured last game, is questionable
12/07/18 PG Kyrie Irving Shoulder injured last game, is questionable
10/29/18 F Daniel Theis Plantar Fasciitis is out indefinitely

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

12/06/18 F Bobby Portis Knee is downgraded to doubtful Friday vs Oklahoma City
12/06/18 PG Kris Dunn Knee is upgraded to questionable Friday vs Oklahoma City
10/20/18 G Denzel Valentine Ankle is out for season

Player Spotlight

Jayson Tatum comes into this game averaging 16.4 points per contest while playing 31.3 minutes per night this year. He grabs 6.5 rebounds per contest and distributes 1.9 assists per game. His FG percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage is 84%. Kyrie Irving averages 22.2 points per contest in 32.0 minutes per game. He averages 6.4 assists per game and 4.7 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 49% for the season while his free throw percentage is 81%.

Player Spotlight

Zach Lavine scores 24.5 points per contest while playing 35.8 minutes per game. He hauls in 5.2 rebounds per contest and has 4.9 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 87%. Jabari Parker averages 16.4 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 32.0 minutes per game. He also brings in 7.4 rebounds per game and has 2.3 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 71%.

Useful Team Statistics

Boston averages 109.3 points per contest, which is 18th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 5.4 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a unit, which has them ranked 21st. From 3-point territory they shoot 36%, which is good for 10th in the NBA. They average 45.8 boards per contest and 25.2 assists per game, which ranks them 13th and 7th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 26th with 13.0 per game. The Celtics allow 104.0 points per contest, which is 5th in the NBA. They also surrender a 44% shooting percentage and a 32% average from 3-point range, ranking them 1st and 3rd in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 45.8 rebounds a game which ranks 17th, and they allow 21.6 assists per game which puts them in 4th place in the league. They force 15.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 24th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Chicago is 28th in the NBA with 102.8 points per contest this season. They are 27th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is -9.44. They shoot 34% from beyond the arc, which is good for 23rd in the league. They are 26th in the NBA in rebounding with 42.0 boards per contest and 23rd in assists per game with 22.3. The Bulls are 8th in turnovers per contest with 14.9. The Bulls give up 112.3 points per game, which ranks them 23rd in the league. Their defense surrenders a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 15th and 12th in those defensive statistics. They rank 21st with 24.7 dimes allowed per game and 30th with 49.2 boards surrendered per contest. The Bulls are 11th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.0 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 16th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.5, and their defensive rating of 104.1 is ranked 2nd. In terms of pace they are 22nd in the league with 99 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 15th. As a team they are 18th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 40% of their shots, ranking 3rd in the league. Boston is 27th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.8 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 7th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 14th in the league. The Bulls are 30th in the NBA in offensive rating with 101.5, and their defensive rating of 110.8 is ranked 19th. In terms of pace they are 13th in the league with 100.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 27th. As a team they are 27th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 19th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Boston -8.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald