Chicago Bulls at Dallas Mavericks NBA Picks & Predictions 1/5/2018

Friday, January 5, 2018

American Airlines Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Chicago Bulls travel to American Airlines Center to play the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, January 5, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Dallas as 4.5 point favorites.

The Bulls come into this game with an overall record of 13-25. They are 5th in the Central Division. They currently have a point differential of -5.6 as they are averaging 101.4 points per game while giving up 107.0 per contest. The Mavericks have an overall record of 13-26. They currently are 4th in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 101.6 points per game and surrendering 103.9, good for a point differential of -2.3.

Valuable Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

The Chicago Bulls are 22-14-2 against the spread

The Chicago Bulls are 21-17-0 against the over/under

Important Dallas Mavericks Betting Trends

The Dallas Mavericks are 20-18-1 against the spread

The Dallas Mavericks are 18-21-0 against the over/under

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Dallas Mavericks Injuries

12/06/17 F Nerlens Noel Thumb is out indefinitely
11/14/17 F Dorian Finney-Smith Knee is out indefinitely
10/07/17 G Seth Curry Stress Fracture is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Lauri Markkanen comes into this contest averaging 14.9 points per game while playing 29.7 minutes per night so far this season for the Bulls. He pulls down 7.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage is currently at 83%. Kris Dunn averages 13.3 points per game in 28.9 minutes per contest this season. He averages 6 assists per contest and 4.8 rebounds per game for Chicago. His field goal percentage is 43% for the year while his free throw percentage is 70%.

Player Spotlight

Wesley Matthews averages 11.9 points per game while playing 34.3 minutes per contest this year for the Mavericks. He grabs 3.1 rebounds per game and has 2.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage currently is at 81%. Harrison Barnes averages 18.4 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 34.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 6.6 rebounds per contest and 2.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 82%.

Useful Team Statistics

Chicago averages 101.4 points per contest this season, which ranks them 25th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -5.63 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 30th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 24th in the league. They average 45.1 rebounds per game and 23.7 assists per game, which ranks them 6th and 5th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 24th with 13.8 per game. The Bulls allow 107 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 21st in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 15th and 14th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.6 rebounds a game which ranks 27th and they give up 24.4 assists per contest, which puts them in 27th place in the league. They force 12.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 1st in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Dallas is 24th in the league with 101.6 points per game this year. They are 21st in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is -2.36. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 11th in the NBA. They are 25th in the league in rebounding with 40.7 boards per game, and 17th in assists per contest with 22.4. The Mavericks are 30th in turnovers per game with 13. The Mavericks surrender 103.9 points per contest, which ranks them 10th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 19th and 15th in those defensive statistics. They rank 16th with 22.7 assists allowed per contest and 25th with 44.9 rebounds surrendered per game. The Mavericks are 7th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.9 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Bulls are 29th in the NBA in offensive rating with 103, and their defensive rating of 108.7 is ranked 15th. In terms of pace they are 11th in the league with 97.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 28th. As a team they are 30th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 15th in the league. Chicago is 26th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 10th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Dallas is 28th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 9th in the NBA. The Mavericks are 19th in the league in defensive rating with 108.8, and their offensive rating of 106.4 is ranked 12th. They are 24th in the NBA in pace with 95.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 14th. As a unit they are 17th in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shot attempts, ranking 4th in the NBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Dallas -4.5

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