Denver Nuggets at Chicago Bulls NBA Picks & Predictions 3/21/2018

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

United Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Denver Nuggets travel to United Center to play the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, March 21, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Denver as 6 point favorites.

The Nuggets come into this game with an overall record of 38-33. They are 5th in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 1.0 as they are averaging 109.5 points per game while giving up 108.5 per contest. The Bulls have an overall mark of 24-46. They currently are 5th in the Central Division. They are averaging 103.5 points per contest and giving up 109.5, which is a point differential of -6.0.

Valuable Denver Nuggets Betting Trends

The Denver Nuggets are 31-37-3 against the spread

The Denver Nuggets are 36-35-0 against the over/under

Important Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

The Chicago Bulls are 37-31-2 against the spread

The Chicago Bulls are 37-33-0 against the over/under

Key Denver Nuggets Injuries

03/17/18 G Gary Harris Knee is out indefinitely

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

03/19/18 G Kris Dunn Toe is "?" Wednesday vs Denver
03/19/18 F Lauri Markkanen Back is "?" Wednesday vs Denver
03/19/18 G Zach LaVine Knee is "?" Wednesday vs Denver

Player Spotlight

Nikola Jokic comes into this contest averaging 17.5 points per game while playing 31.8 minutes per night so far this season for the Nuggets. He pulls down 10.5 rebounds per game and dishes out 6 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 50% while his free throw percentage is currently at 85%. Wilson Chandler averages 10.2 points per game in 31.4 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.1 assists per contest and 5.2 rebounds per game for Denver. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 78%.

Player Spotlight

Zach Lavine averages 16.7 points per game while playing 27.3 minutes per contest this year for the Bulls. He grabs 4 rebounds per game and has 3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 38% and his free throw percentage currently is at 81%. Denzel Valentine averages 10.1 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 27.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.3 rebounds per contest and 3.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is 80%.

Useful Team Statistics

Denver averages 109.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 7th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 1.03 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team, which has them ranked 9th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 8th in the league. They average 44.3 rebounds per game and 24.8 assists per game, which ranks them 9th and 5th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 7th with 15.1 per game. The Nuggets allow 108.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 22nd in the league. They also allow a 48% shooting percentage and a 38% average from behind the arc, ranking them 30th and 28th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 41.3 rebounds a game which ranks 2nd and they give up 24.6 assists per contest, which puts them in 25th place in the league. They force 14.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 11th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Chicago is 23rd in the league with 103.5 points per game this year. They are 30th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is -6.04. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 21st in the NBA. They are 7th in the league in rebounding with 44.7 boards per game, and 9th in assists per contest with 23.6. The Bulls are 22nd in turnovers per game with 13.7. The Bulls surrender 109.5 points per contest, which ranks them 25th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 23rd and 19th in those defensive statistics. They rank 28th with 25.5 assists allowed per contest and 29th with 45.8 rebounds surrendered per game. The Bulls are 3rd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.3 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Nuggets are 6th in the NBA in offensive rating with 112, and their defensive rating of 111 is ranked 6th. In terms of pace they are 15th in the league with 97 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 6th. As a team they are 7th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 9th in the league. Denver is 9th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 2nd in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Chicago is 26th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 6th in the league. The Bulls are 28th in the NBA in offensive rating with 104.3, and their defensive rating of 110.4 is ranked 9th. In terms of pace they are 9th in the league with 98.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 28th. As a team they are 29th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 11th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Denver -6

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