Chicago Bulls at Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Picks & Predictions 12/23/2018

Sunday, December 23, 2018

Quicken Loans Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Chicago Bulls travel to Quicken Loans Arena to play the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday, December 23, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Cleveland as 2 point favorites.

The Bulls head into this matchup with a mark of 8-25. They are 4th in the Central Division. They have a point differential of -9.9 as they average 100.6 points per contest while giving up 110.5 per game. The Cavaliers have an overall mark of 8-25. They currently are 5th in the Central Division. They total 103.1 points per contest and give up 111.6, which is a point differential of -8.5.

Valuable Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

The Chicago Bulls are 15-17-1 against the spread

The Chicago Bulls are 10-23-0 against the over/under

Important Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Trends

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 16-17-0 against the spread

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 15-18-0 against the over/under

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

12/21/18 PG Cameron Payne Calf is questionable Sunday vs Cleveland
12/21/18 F Jabari Parker Illness is questionable Sunday vs Cleveland
12/20/18 F Bobby Portis Ankle is out indefinitely
12/15/18 PG Zach LaVine Ankle is out indefinitely
10/20/18 G Denzel Valentine Ankle is out for season

Key Cleveland Cavaliers Injuries

12/22/18 G Rodney Hood Achilles injured last game, is questionable Sunday vs Chicago
12/11/18 F Tristan Thompson Foot is out indefinitely
11/26/18 G JR Smith Possible Trade is out indefinitely
11/16/18 F John Henson Wrist is out indefinitely
10/29/18 F Kevin Love Foot is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Justin Holiday comes into this contest averaging 12.1 points per game while playing 35.1 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 4.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 39% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 90%. Lauri Markkanen averages 16.2 points per game in 29.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.1 assists per contest and 7.0 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 41% for the year while his free throw percentage is 80%.

Player Spotlight

Jordan Clarkson averages 16.9 points per game while playing 26.2 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 3.5 rebounds per game and has 2.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 85%. Rodney Hood averages 12.9 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 28.2 minutes per contest. He also averages 2.4 rebounds per contest and 2.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 89%.

Useful Team Statistics

Chicago averages 100.6 points per contest this season, which ranks them 30th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -9.9 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 27th. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 24th in the league. They average 41.5 rebounds per game and 21.6 assists per game, which ranks them 26th and 26th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 7th with 15.1 per game. The Bulls allow 110.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 17th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 13th and 17th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 48.6 rebounds a game which ranks 30th and they give up 24.6 assists per contest, which puts them in 22nd place in the league. They force 14.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 15th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Cleveland is 27th in the league with 103.1 points per game this year. They are 25th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is -8.5. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 11th in the NBA. They are 23rd in the league in rebounding with 43.7 boards per game, and 29th in assists per contest with 20.0. The Cavaliers are 28th in turnovers per game with 12.8. The Cavaliers surrender 111.6 points per contest, which ranks them 21st in the NBA. Their defense allows a 49% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 30th and 23rd in those defensive statistics. They rank 13th with 23.8 assists allowed per contest and 7th with 43.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Cavaliers are 2nd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 12.0 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Bulls are 30th in the NBA in offensive rating with 100.7, and their defensive rating of 110.6 is ranked 17th. In terms of pace they are 20th in the league with 99 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 29th. As a team they are 29th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shots, ranking 24th in the league. Chicago is 4th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 16th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Cleveland is 26th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 55%, which is 1st in the NBA. The Cavaliers are 22nd in the league in defensive rating with 116.4, and their offensive rating of 107.6 is ranked 30th. They are 28th in the NBA in pace with 95.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 26th. As a unit they are 27th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 29% of their shot attempts, ranking 28th in the NBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Cleveland -2

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