Philadelphia 76ers at Chicago Bulls NBA Picks & Predictions 2/22/2018

Thursday, February 22, 2018

United Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Philadelphia 76ers travel to United Center to play the Chicago Bulls on Thursday, February 22, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Philadelphia as 3.5 point favorites.

The 76ers come into this game with an overall record of 30-25. They are 3rd in the Atlantic Division. They currently have a point differential of 2.0 as they are averaging 107.5 points per game while giving up 105.5 per contest. The Bulls have an overall mark of 20-37. They currently are 5th in the Central Division. They are averaging 103.3 points per contest and giving up 109.2, which is a point differential of -5.9.

Valuable Philadelphia 76ers Betting Trends

The Philadelphia 76ers are 31-24-0 against the spread

The Philadelphia 76ers are 28-27-0 against the over/under

Important Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

The Chicago Bulls are 30-25-2 against the spread

The Chicago Bulls are 30-27-0 against the over/under

Key Philadelphia 76ers Injuries

01/15/18 PG Markelle Fultz Shoulder is out indefinitely

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Ben Simmons averages 16.4 points per game in 34.9 minutes per contest this season. He averages 7.3 assists per contest and 7.8 rebounds per game for Philadelphia. His field goal percentage is 53% for the year while his free throw percentage is 57%. Joel Embiid comes into this contest averaging 23.7 points per game while playing 31.4 minutes per night so far this season for the 76ers. He pulls down 11.1 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.1 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage is currently at 79%.

Player Spotlight

Lauri Markkanen averages 15.3 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 30.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 7.7 rebounds per contest and 1.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 86%. Zach Lavine averages 16.9 points per game while playing 25.4 minutes per contest this year for the Bulls. He grabs 4.5 rebounds per game and has 2.6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 40% and his free throw percentage currently is at 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

The 76ers allow 105.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 14th in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the arc, ranking them 2nd and 1st in those defensive categories. Opponents average 41.9 rebounds a game which ranks 6th, and they give up 20.8 assists per contest which puts them in 5th place in the league. They force 14.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 15th in the league. Philadelphia averages 107.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 9th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 1.98 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team, which has them ranked 10th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 15th in the league. They average 47 rebounds per game and 25.6 assists per game, which ranks them 1st and 3rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 1st with 17.5 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Bulls surrender 109.2 points per contest, which ranks them 24th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 22nd and 17th in those defensive statistics. They rank 28th with 25.3 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 per game this season. Chicago is 24th in the league with 103.3 points per game this year. They are 29th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is -5.89. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 20th in the NBA. They are 7th in the league in rebounding with 44.7 boards per game and 8th in assists per contest with 23.5. The Bulls are 23rd in turnovers per game with 13.6.

Advanced Statistics

The 76ers are 15th in the league in defensive rating with 105.6, and their offensive rating of 107.6 is ranked 27th. They are 5th in the NBA in pace with 99.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 9th. As a unit they are 10th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 16th in the NBA. Philadelphia is 1st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.7 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 49%, which is 29th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Chicago is 25th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 7th in the league. The Bulls are 29th in the NBA in offensive rating with 104.1, and their defensive rating of 110 is ranked 8th. In terms of pace they are 11th in the league with 98 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 76ers/Bulls NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Chicago +3.5

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