Chicago Bulls at New Orleans Pelicans NBA Picks & Predictions 1/22/2018

Monday, January 22, 2018

Smoothie King Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Chicago Bulls travel to Smoothie King Center to play the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday, January 22, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has New Orleans as 6 point favorites.

The Bulls come into this game with an overall record of 18-28. They are 5th in the Central Division. They currently have a point differential of -5.1 as they are averaging 103.2 points per game while giving up 108.3 per contest. The Pelicans have an overall mark of 24-21. They currently are 3rd in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 110.8 points per contest and giving up 110.5, which is a point differential of 0.3.

Valuable Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

The Chicago Bulls are 28-16-2 against the spread

The Chicago Bulls are 26-20-0 against the over/under

Important New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 24-21-0 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 27-18-0 against the over/under

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

01/18/18 PG Kris Dunn Concussion is out indefinitely

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

12/12/17 G Tony Allen Knee is out indefinitely
10/20/17 C Alexis Ajinca Knee is out indefinitely
10/14/17 F Solomon Hill Hamstring is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Lauri Markkanen averages 15.5 points per game in 30 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.3 assists per contest and 7.5 rebounds per game for Chicago. His field goal percentage is 43% for the year while his free throw percentage is 85%. Justin Holiday comes into this contest averaging 13.6 points per game while playing 34.2 minutes per night so far this season for the Bulls. He pulls down 4.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 38% while his free throw percentage is currently at 84%.

Player Spotlight

Demarcus Cousins averages 25.2 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 36.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 12.6 rebounds per contest and 5.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is 75%. Jrue Holiday averages 18.8 points per game while playing 36.9 minutes per contest this year for the Pelicans. He grabs 4.4 rebounds per game and has 5.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage currently is at 81%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Bulls allow 108.3 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 18th and 17th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.6 rebounds a game which ranks 27th, and they give up 25 assists per contest which puts them in 28th place in the league. They force 13 turnovers per game which ranks them 2nd in the league. Chicago averages 103.2 points per contest this season, which ranks them 22nd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -5.15 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 29th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 16th in the league. They average 44.7 rebounds per game and 23.8 assists per game, which ranks them 7th and 5th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 23rd with 13.9 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Pelicans surrender 110.5 points per contest, which ranks them 28th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 16th and 18th in those defensive statistics. They rank 24th with 24.2 assists allowed per contest, and 17th with 43.6 rebounds surrendered per game. The Pelicans are 13th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.5 per game this season. New Orleans is 4th in the league with 110.8 points per game this year. They are 2nd in the league in shooting at 49%, while their average scoring margin is 0.22. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 10th in the NBA. They are 18th in the league in rebounding with 42.9 boards per game and 2nd in assists per contest with 26.2. The Pelicans are 3rd in turnovers per game with 15.8.

Advanced Statistics

The Bulls are 28th in the NBA in offensive rating with 104.1, and their defensive rating of 109.3 is ranked 9th. In terms of pace they are 12th in the league with 98 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 26th. As a team they are 28th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 12th in the league. Chicago is 25th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 9th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

New Orleans is 4th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.8 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 15th in the league. The Pelicans are 6th in the NBA in offensive rating with 110.2, and their defensive rating of 110 is ranked 7th. In terms of pace they are 6th in the league with 99.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 55% is 3rd. As a team they are 3rd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 14th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take New Orleans -6

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