Chicago Bulls at Portland Blazers NBA Picks & Predictions 1/9/2019

Wednesday, January 9, 2019

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 9, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Portland as 10 point favorites.

The Bulls head into this matchup with a mark of 10-30. They are 4th in the Central Division. They have a point differential of -9.5 as they average 100.4 points per contest while giving up 109.8 per game. The Blazers have an overall mark of 24-17. They currently are 3rd in the Northwest Division. They total 111.2 points per contest and give up 110.0, which is a point differential of 1.2.

Valuable Chicago Bulls Betting Trends

The Chicago Bulls are 19-20-1 against the spread

The Chicago Bulls are 14-26-0 against the over/under

Important Portland Blazers Betting Trends

The Portland Blazers are 20-20-0 against the spread

The Portland Blazers are 17-23-0 against the over/under

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

10/20/18 G Denzel Valentine Ankle is out for season

Key Portland Blazers Injuries

01/07/19 SF Maurice Harkless Knee left last game, is questionable Wednesday vs Chicago

Player Spotlight

Zach Lavine comes into this contest averaging 23.6 points per game while playing 34.5 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 4.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 46% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 87%. Lauri Markkanen averages 17.4 points per game in 31.2 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.1 assists per contest and 7.4 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 44% for the year while his free throw percentage is 80%.

Player Spotlight

CJ McCollum averages 20.8 points per game while playing 34.4 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 3.7 rebounds per game and has 2.6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is at 82%. Damian Lillard averages 26.2 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 35.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.6 rebounds per contest and 6.0 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 90%.

Useful Team Statistics

Chicago averages 100.4 points per contest this season, which ranks them 30th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -9.5 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 25th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 20th in the league. They average 41.5 rebounds per game and 21.6 assists per game, which ranks them 27th and 27th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 7th with 14.6 per game. The Bulls allow 109.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 15th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 15th and 14th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 47.4 rebounds a game which ranks 27th and they give up 24.3 assists per contest, which puts them in 17th place in the league. They force 13.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 13th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Portland is 15th in the league with 111.2 points per game this year. They are 18th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 1.2. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 13th in the NBA. They are 3rd in the league in rebounding with 48.5 boards per game, and 26th in assists per contest with 21.6. The Blazers are 15th in turnovers per game with 14.2. The Blazers surrender 110.0 points per contest, which ranks them 16th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 45% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 11th and 26th in those defensive statistics. They rank 12th with 23.5 assists allowed per contest and 14th with 44.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Blazers are 2nd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 12.1 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Bulls are 30th in the NBA in offensive rating with 101.4, and their defensive rating of 110.9 is ranked 20th. In terms of pace they are 23rd in the league with 98 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 27th. As a team they are 27th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 31% of their shots, ranking 25th in the league. Chicago is 5th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 13th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Portland is 14th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 10.7 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 21st in the NBA. The Blazers are 13th in the league in defensive rating with 109.9, and their offensive rating of 111.1 is ranked 15th. They are 17th in the NBA in pace with 99.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 20th. As a unit they are 18th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 18th in the NBA.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Portland -10

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