Chicago Bulls at Houston Rockets NBA Picks & Predictions 3/27/2018

Tuesday, March 27, 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 Tuesday, March 27, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Houston as 9 point favorites.

The Bulls come into this game with an overall record of 24-49. They are 5th in the Central Division. They currently have a point differential of -6.7 as they are averaging 103.4 points per game while giving up 110.1 per contest. The Rockets have an overall mark of 60-14. They currently are 1st in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 113.5 points per contest and giving up 104.4, which is a point differential of 9.1.

Valuable Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

The Chicago Bulls are 37-34-2 against the spread

The Chicago Bulls are 40-33-0 against the over/under

Important Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 39-33-2 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 32-41-1 against the over/under

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

03/24/18 G Kris Dunn Toe is "?" Tuesday vs Houston
03/22/18 G Zach LaVine Knee is out indefinitely

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

03/26/18 G Chris Paul Hamstring is upgraded to probable Tuesday vs Chicago
03/25/18 F Luc Mbah a Moute Knee is downgraded to doubtful Tuesday vs Chicago

Player Spotlight

Lauri Markkanen averages 14.8 points per game in 30.3 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.1 assists per contest and 7.6 rebounds per game for Chicago. His field goal percentage is 43% for the year while his free throw percentage is 87%. Denzel Valentine comes into this contest averaging 10.4 points per game while playing 27.5 minutes per night so far this season for the Bulls. He pulls down 5.3 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage is currently at 78%.

Player Spotlight

Eric Gordon averages 18.1 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 31.5 minutes per contest. He also averages 2.5 rebounds per contest and 2.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 82%. James Harden averages 30.7 points per game while playing 35.5 minutes per contest this year for the Rockets. He grabs 5.4 rebounds per game and has 8.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage currently is at 86%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Bulls allow 110.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 26th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 24th and 26th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.7 rebounds a game which ranks 28th, and they give up 25.7 assists per contest which puts them in 28th place in the league. They force 13.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 3rd in the league. Chicago averages 103.4 points per contest this season, which ranks them 24th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -6.73 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 30th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 22nd in the league. They average 44.6 rebounds per game and 23.7 assists per game, which ranks them 7th and 7th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 22nd with 13.7 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Rockets surrender 104.4 points per contest, which ranks them 10th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 17th and 7th in those defensive statistics. They rank 11th with 22.6 assists allowed per contest, and 2nd with 41.7 rebounds surrendered per game. The Rockets are 18th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.5 per game this season. Houston is 2nd in the league with 113.5 points per game this year. They are 13th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 9.11. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 12th in the NBA. They are 18th in the league in rebounding with 43.6 boards per game and 24th in assists per contest with 21.8. The Rockets are 19th in turnovers per game with 13.9.

Advanced Statistics

The Bulls are 27th in the league in defensive rating with 111.1, and their offensive rating of 104.3 is ranked 6th. They are 11th in the NBA in pace with 98.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 28th. As a unit they are 30th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 11th in the NBA. Chicago is 26th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 3rd in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Houston is 20th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.3 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 16th in the NBA. The Rockets are 1st in the league in defensive rating with 106.4, and their offensive rating of 115.7 is ranked 25th. They are 13th in the NBA in pace with 97.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 55% is 2nd. As a unit they are 2nd in the league in true shooting percentage with 59% and they shoot 3-pointers on 50% of their shot attempts, ranking 1st in the NBA.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Houston -9

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