Chicago Bulls at Portland Blazers NBA Picks & Predictions 1/31/2018

Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Moda Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Chicago Bulls travel to Moda Center to play the Portland Blazers on Wednesday, January 31, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Portland as 6.5 point favorites.

The Bulls come into this game with an overall record of 18-32. They are 5th in the Central Division. They currently have a point differential of -5.5 as they are averaging 103.5 points per game while giving up 109.0 per contest. The Blazers have an overall mark of 27-22. They currently are 3rd in the Northwest Division. They are averaging 104.6 points per contest and giving up 103.1, which is a point differential of 1.5.

Valuable Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

The Chicago Bulls are 29-19-2 against the spread

The Chicago Bulls are 27-23-0 against the over/under

Important Portland Blazers Betting Trends

The Portland Blazers are 23-23-3 against the spread

The Portland Blazers are 20-29-0 against the over/under

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

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

Key Portland Blazers Injuries

01/29/18 G Evan Turner Personal is upgraded to probable Tuesday vs LA Clippers

Player Spotlight

Lauri Markkanen averages 15.3 points per game in 30.2 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.3 assists per contest and 7.7 rebounds per game for Chicago. His field goal percentage is 43% for the year while his free throw percentage is 86%. Justin Holiday comes into this contest averaging 13.3 points per game while playing 34.1 minutes per night so far this season for the Bulls. He pulls down 4.5 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 83%.

Player Spotlight

Damian Lillard averages 25.4 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 36.6 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.7 rebounds per contest and 6.5 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 91%. C.J. McCollum averages 21.5 points per game while playing 36.3 minutes per contest this year for the Blazers. He grabs 4 rebounds per game and has 3.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage currently is at 87%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Bulls allow 109 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 25th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 20th and 18th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.8 rebounds a game which ranks 28th, and they give up 25.3 assists per contest which puts them in 28th place in the league. They force 13 turnovers per game which ranks them 3rd in the league. Chicago averages 103.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 22nd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -5.48 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 29th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 17th in the league. They average 44.9 rebounds per game and 23.9 assists per game, which ranks them 6th and 4th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 21st with 14.1 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Blazers surrender 103.1 points per contest, which ranks them 8th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 6th and 12th in those defensive statistics. They rank 1st with 19.8 assists allowed per contest, and 11th with 42.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Blazers are 2nd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 12.9 per game this season. Portland is 20th in the league with 104.6 points per game this year. They are 18th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 1.47. They shoot 38% from 3-point range, which is good for 3rd in the NBA. They are 8th in the league in rebounding with 44.5 boards per game and 30th in assists per contest with 19.1. The Blazers are 19th in turnovers per game with 14.2.

Advanced Statistics

The Bulls are 29th in the league in defensive rating with 109.5, and their offensive rating of 104 is ranked 9th. They are 12th in the NBA in pace with 98.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 27th. 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 11th in the NBA. Chicago is 24th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 7th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Portland is 20th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 25th in the NBA. The Blazers are 14th in the league in defensive rating with 106.5, and their offensive rating of 108 is ranked 24th. They are 18th in the NBA in pace with 96.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 21st. As a unit they are 19th in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 31% of their shot attempts, ranking 23rd in the NBA.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Portland -6.5

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