Chicago Bulls at Philadelphia 76ers NBA Picks & Predictions 10/18/2018

Thursday, October 18, 2018

Wells Fargo Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Chicago Bulls travel to Wells Fargo Center to play the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday, October 18, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Philadelphia as 11.5 point favorites.

The Bulls come into this game after finishing last season with an overall record of 27-55. They were 5th in the Central Division. They had a point differential of -7.1 as they averaged 102.9 points per game while giving up 110.0 per contest. The 76ers had an overall mark of 52-30 last year. They were 3rd in the Atlantic Division. They averaged 109.8 points per contest and gave up 105.3, which was a point differential of 4.5.

Valuable Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

The Chicago Bulls were 40-38-4 against the spread last season

The Chicago Bulls were 44-38-0 against the over/under last year

Important Philadelphia 76ers Betting Trends

The Philadelphia 76ers were 53-39-0 against the spread last season

The Philadelphia 76ers were 46-45-0 against the over/under last year

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

10/17/18 G Denzel Valentine Ankle is questionable Thursday vs Philadelphia
09/28/18 F Lauri Markkanen Elbow is out 6-8 weeks

Key Philadelphia 76ers Injuries

10/16/18 F Mike Muscala Undisclosed is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Bobby Portis comes into this contest after averaging 13.2 points per game while playing 22.5 minutes per night last season. He pulled down 6.8 rebounds per game and dished out 1.7 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage was 47% while his free throw percentage finished at 77%. Zach Lavine averaged 16.7 points per game in 27.3 minutes per contest last season. He averaged 3.0 assists per contest and 3.9 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage was 38% for the year while his free throw percentage was 81%.

Player Spotlight

Ben Simmons averaged 15.8 points per game while playing 33.7 minutes per contest last year. He grabbed 8.1 rebounds per game and had 8.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage was 55% and his free throw percentage was at 56%. Joel Embiid averaged 22.9 points per game last season and he saw the court an average of 30.3 minutes per contest. He also averaged 11.0 rebounds per contest and 3.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage was 48% and his free throw percentage was 77%.

Useful Team Statistics

Chicago averaged 102.9 points per contest last season, which ranked them 26th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin was -7.0 and their shooting percentage was 44% as a team, which had them ranked 30th. Behind the arc they shot 36% which was good for 22nd in the league. They averaged 44.7 rebounds per game and 23.5 assists per game, which ranked them 6th and 10th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they ranked 17th with 14.0 per game. The Bulls allowed 110.0 points per game to their opponents which ranked them 27th in the league. They also allowed a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 27th and 24th in those defensive categories. Opponents averaged 45.7 rebounds a game which ranked 26th and they gave up 25.9 assists per contest, which put them in 29th place in the league. They forced 13.6 turnovers per game which ranked them 6th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Philadelphia was 7th in the league with 109.8 points per game last year. They were 7th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin was 4.5. They shot 37% from 3-point range, which was good for 8th in the NBA. They were 1st in the league in rebounding with 47.4 boards per game, and 2nd in assists per contest with 27.1. The 76ers were 1st in turnovers per game with 16.5. The 76ers surrendered 105.3 points per contest, which ranked them 11th in the NBA. Their defense allowed a 43% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 1st and 2nd in those defensive statistics. They ranked 5th with 21.7 assists allowed per contest and 6th with 42.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The 76ers were 16th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.3 per game last season.

Advanced Statistics

The Bulls were 28th in the NBA in offensive rating with 103.7, and their defensive rating of 110.8 was ranked 24th last season. In terms of pace they were 9th in the league with 98.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% was 29th. As a team they were 29th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shot 3 pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 11th in the league. Chicago was 21st in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season was 54%, which was 1st in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Philadelphia was 1st in the league in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 14.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year was 49%, which was 30th in the NBA. The 76ers were 11th in the league in defensive rating with 105, and their offensive rating of 109.5 was ranked 4th. They were 4th in the NBA in pace with 99.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% was 7th. As a unit they were 8th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 13th in the NBA.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Philadelphia -11.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Tony Sink