Chicago Bulls at Houston Rockets NBA Picks & Predictions 12/1/2018

Saturday, December 1, 2018

Toyota Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Chicago Bulls travel to Toyota Center to play the Houston Rockets on Saturday, December 1, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Houston as 11 point favorites.

The Bulls head into this matchup with a mark of 5-17. They are 4th in the Central Division. They have a point differential of -8.9 as they average 104.0 points per contest while giving up 112.9 per game. The Rockets have an overall mark of 9-11. They currently are 5th in the Southwest Division. They total 108.2 points per contest and give up 110.3, which is a point differential of -2.1.

Valuable Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

The Chicago Bulls are 11-11-0 against the spread

The Chicago Bulls are 7-15-0 against the over/under

Important Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 7-13-0 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 12-8-0 against the over/under

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

10/25/18 F Bobby Portis Knee is out 4-6 weeks
10/23/18 PG Kris Dunn Knee is out 4-6 weeks
10/20/18 G Denzel Valentine Ankle is out for season
09/28/18 F Lauri Markkanen Elbow is out 6-8 weeks

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

11/29/18 PG Chris Paul Hamstring is questionable Friday vs San Antonio
11/28/18 G Gerald Green Ankle is questionable Friday vs San Antonio
11/15/18 SF Carmelo Anthony Possible Trade is out indefinitely
10/20/18 PG Brandon Knight Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Jabari Parker comes into this contest averaging 16.6 points per game while playing 32.1 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 7.3 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.5 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 46% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 73%. Zach Lavine averages 25.6 points per game in 36.1 minutes per contest this season. He averages 4.6 assists per contest and 5.5 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 44% for the year while his free throw percentage is 87%.

Player Spotlight

James Harden averages 31.1 points per game while playing 37.4 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 5.6 rebounds per game and has 8.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 83%. Chris Paul averages 17.9 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 34.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.8 rebounds per contest and 7.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 79%.

Useful Team Statistics

Chicago averages 104.0 points per contest this season, which ranks them 28th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -8.9 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 24th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 18th in the league. They average 42.0 rebounds per game and 22.4 assists per game, which ranks them 26th and 22nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 9th with 14.9 per game. The Bulls allow 112.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 23rd in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 16th and 14th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 49.4 rebounds a game which ranks 30th and they give up 24.9 assists per contest, which puts them in 24th place in the league. They force 13.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 10th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston is 20th in the league with 108.2 points per game this year. They are 23rd in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is -2.1. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 24th in the NBA. They are 28th in the league in rebounding with 40.7 boards per game, and 27th in assists per contest with 20.8. The Rockets are 16th in turnovers per game with 14.1. The Rockets surrender 110.3 points per contest, which ranks them 13th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 48% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 26th and 17th in those defensive statistics. They rank 4th with 21.6 assists allowed per contest and 7th with 43.0 rebounds surrendered per game. The Rockets are 13th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.3 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Bulls are 29th in the NBA in offensive rating with 102.4, and their defensive rating of 111.1 is ranked 20th. In terms of pace they are 12th in the league with 100.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 25th. As a team they are 26th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 17th in the league. Chicago is 7th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 13th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Houston is 13th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 8th in the NBA. The Rockets are 9th in the league in defensive rating with 114.2, and their offensive rating of 112 is ranked 28th. They are 29th in the NBA in pace with 95.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 11th. As a unit they are 9th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 49% of their shot attempts, ranking 1st in the NBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Houston -11

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