Chicago Bulls at Washington Wizards NBA Picks & Predictions 12/28/2018

Friday, December 28, 2018

Capital One Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Chicago Bulls travel to Capital One Arena to play the Washington Wizards on Friday, December 28, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Washington as 7 point favorites.

The Bulls head into this matchup with a mark of 9-26. They are 4th in the Central Division. They have a point differential of -9.5 as they average 100.7 points per contest while giving up 110.2 per game. The Wizards have an overall record of 13-22 this season. They are 4th in the Southeast Division. They average 112.7 points per game and surrender 11.7, good for a point differential of 101.0.

Valuable Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

The Chicago Bulls are 16-17-1 against the spread

The Chicago Bulls are 11-23-0 against the over/under

Important Washington Wizards Betting Trends

The Washington Wizards are 11-22-1 against the spread

The Washington Wizards are 21-13-0 against the over/under

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

12/20/18 F Bobby Portis Ankle is out indefinitely
10/20/18 G Denzel Valentine Ankle is out for season

Key Washington Wizards Injuries

12/26/18 SF Otto Porter Jr. Knee is questionable Friday vs Chicago
11/28/18 C Dwight Howard Gluteus is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Lauri Markkanen comes into this contest averaging 17.4 points per game while playing 30.0 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 6.8 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 85%. Justin Holiday averages 11.9 points per game in 34.9 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.3 assists per contest and 4.6 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 39% for the year while his free throw percentage is 90%.

Player Spotlight

Bradley Beal averages 23.5 points per game while playing 36.6 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 4.8 rebounds per game and has 4.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is at 78%. John Wall averages 20.7 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 34.5 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.6 rebounds per contest and 8.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 70%.

Useful Team Statistics

Chicago averages 100.7 points per contest this season, which ranks them 30th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -9.5 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 26th. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 24th in the league. They average 41.6 rebounds per game and 21.7 assists per game, which ranks them 27th and 26th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 7th with 14.8 per game. The Bulls allow 110.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 16th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 14th and 16th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 48.2 rebounds a game which ranks 28th and they give up 24.3 assists per contest, which puts them in 18th place in the league. They force 13.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 14th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Washington is 10th in the league with 112.7 points per game this year. They are 11th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is -5.0. They shoot 33% from 3-point range, which is good for 29th in the NBA. They are 29th in the league in rebounding with 40.2 boards per game, and 10th in assists per contest with 24.9. The Wizards are 18th in turnovers per game with 14.0. The Wizards surrender 11.7 points per contest, which ranks them 1st in the NBA. Their defense allows a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 25th and 26th in those defensive statistics. They rank 27th with 25.7 assists allowed per contest and 29th with 48.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Wizards are 29th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 16.3 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Bulls are 30th in the NBA in offensive rating with 101.1, and their defensive rating of 110.7 is ranked 17th. In terms of pace they are 21st in the league with 98.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 27th. As a team they are 29th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shots, ranking 24th in the league. Chicago is 4th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.3 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 16th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Washington is 20th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 4th in the NBA. The Wizards are 18th in the league in defensive rating with 114.4, and their offensive rating of 109.6 is ranked 28th. They are 8th in the NBA in pace with 101 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 13th. As a unit they are 11th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shot attempts, ranking 11th in the NBA.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Washington -7

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