Chicago Bulls at Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Picks & Predictions 12/17/2018

Monday, December 17, 2018

Chesapeake Energy Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Chicago Bulls travel to Chesapeake Energy Arena to play the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, December 17, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Oklahoma City as 13 point favorites.

The Bulls have a record of 7-23. They are 5th in the Central Division. They have a point differential of -10.3 as they average 101.3 points per game while giving up 111.7 per contest. The Thunder have an overall record of 18-10 this season. They are 2nd in the Northwest Division. They average 111.1 points per game and surrender 105.3, good for a point differential of 5.8.

Valuable Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

The Chicago Bulls are 14-15-1 against the spread

The Chicago Bulls are 9-21-0 against the over/under

Important Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Trends

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 15-13-0 against the spread

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 12-16-0 against the over/under

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

12/15/18 PG Zach LaVine Ankle is out Monday vs Oklahoma City
10/20/18 G Denzel Valentine Ankle is out for season

Key Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries

10/04/18 G Andre Roberson Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Justin Holiday comes into this contest averaging 12.5 points per game while playing 35.2 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 4.5 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 40% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 88%. Zach Lavine averages 23.8 points per game in 35.3 minutes per contest this season. He averages 4.8 assists per contest and 4.9 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 87%.

Player Spotlight

Paul George averages 24.9 points per game while playing 35.1 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 7.8 rebounds per game and has 4.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 83%. Dennis Schroder averages 16.5 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 29.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.1 rebounds per contest and 4.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is 85%.

Useful Team Statistics

Chicago averages 101.3 points per contest this season, which ranks them 29th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -10.3 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 27th. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 23rd in the league. They average 41.3 rebounds per game and 21.6 assists per game, which ranks them 26th and 26th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 5th with 15.3 per game. The Bulls allow 111.7 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 17th and 18th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 48.7 rebounds a game which ranks 30th and they give up 24.8 assists per contest, which puts them in 22nd place in the league. They force 14.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 15th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Oklahoma City is 13th in the league with 111.1 points per game this year. They are 19th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 5.8. They shoot 32% from 3-point range, which is good for 30th in the NBA. They are 3rd in the league in rebounding with 48.0 boards per game, and 22nd in assists per contest with 22.7. The Thunder are 13th in turnovers per game with 14.5. The Thunder surrender 105.3 points per contest, which ranks them 5th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 45% shooting percentage and a 33% average from 3-point range, ranking them 10th and 5th in those defensive statistics. They rank 16th with 23.7 assists allowed per contest and 14th with 44.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Thunder are 30th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 17.5 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Bulls are 30th in the NBA in offensive rating with 100.7, and their defensive rating of 110.9 is ranked 18th. In terms of pace they are 15th in the league with 99.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 27th. As a team they are 28th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shots, ranking 21st in the league. Chicago is 4th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 12th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Oklahoma City is 18th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 15.3 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 22nd in the league. The Thunder are 20th in the NBA in offensive rating with 108.8, and their defensive rating of 103.2 is ranked 1st. In terms of pace they are 6th in the league with 102.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 23rd. As a team they are 25th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 19th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Oklahoma City -13

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