Chicago Bulls at Memphis Grizzlies NBA Picks & Predictions 3/15/2018

Thursday, March 15, 2018

FedExForum

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Chicago Bulls travel to FedExForum to play the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday, March 15, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Chicago as 1 point favorites.

The Bulls come into this game with an overall record of 23-44. They are 5th in the Central Division. They currently have a point differential of -6.0 as they are averaging 103.5 points per game while giving up 109.5 per contest. The Grizzlies have an overall mark of 18-49. They currently are 5th in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 98.6 points per contest and giving up 104.1, which is a point differential of -5.5.

Valuable Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

The Chicago Bulls are 35-30-2 against the spread

The Chicago Bulls are 35-32-0 against the over/under

Important Memphis Grizzlies Betting Trends

The Memphis Grizzlies are 28-37-2 against the spread

The Memphis Grizzlies are 28-38-1 against the over/under

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

03/13/18 F Lauri Markkanen Back is "?" Thursday vs Memphis
03/13/18 F Paul Zipser Foot is "?" Thursday vs Memphis

Key Memphis Grizzlies Injuries

11/17/17 PG Mike Conley Achilles is out for season
03/09/18 G Tyreke Evans Ribs is out indefinitely
03/05/18 G Andrew Harrison Wrist is out indefinitely
03/05/18 G Mario Chalmers Hamstring is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Lauri Markkanen comes into this contest averaging 14.9 points per game while playing 30.4 minutes per night so far this season for the Bulls. He pulls down 7.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage is currently at 87%. Zach Lavine averages 16.6 points per game in 27.4 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3 assists per contest and 3.9 rebounds per game for Chicago. His field goal percentage is 39% for the year while his free throw percentage is 79%.

Player Spotlight

JaMychal Green averages 10.4 points per game while playing 27.6 minutes per contest this year for the Grizzlies. He grabs 8.1 rebounds per game and has 1.5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage currently is at 75%. Marc Gasol averages 17.7 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 33.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 8.5 rebounds per contest and 4.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

Chicago averages 103.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 23rd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -5.99 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 29th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 19th in the league. They average 44.7 rebounds per game and 23.5 assists per game, which ranks them 7th and 10th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 24th with 13.7 per game. The Bulls allow 109.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 24th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 23rd and 23rd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.6 rebounds a game which ranks 28th and they give up 25.4 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.

Useful Team Statistics

Memphis is 30th in the league with 98.6 points per game this year. They are 27th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is -5.51. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 28th in the NBA. They are 29th in the league in rebounding with 40.4 boards per game, and 26th in assists per contest with 21.4. The Grizzlies are 10th in turnovers per game with 14.9. The Grizzlies surrender 104.1 points per contest, which ranks them 8th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 14th and 17th in those defensive statistics. They rank 7th with 21.5 assists allowed per contest and 9th with 42.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Grizzlies are 21st in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.8 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Bulls are 27th in the league in defensive rating with 110.3, and their offensive rating of 104.3 is ranked 10th. They are 9th in the NBA in pace with 98.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 28th. As a unit they are 29th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 12th 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 6th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Memphis is 4th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 16th in the league. The Grizzlies are 28th in the NBA in offensive rating with 104.2, and their defensive rating of 110 is ranked 11th. In terms of pace they are 30th in the league with 94.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 29th. As a team they are 27th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shots, ranking 20th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Chicago -1

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