Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat - 12/8/19 NBA Pick, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Chicago Bulls vs Miami Heat

Date: Sunday, December 8, 2019

Location: American Airlines Arena in Miami, FL

TV: Fox Sports Sun

Odds/Point Spread: Miami -7.5

Total/Over-Under: 218

Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat (16-6, 1st in the Southeast Division) play the Chicago Bulls (8-15, 4th in the Central Division) at American Airlines Arena on Sunday, December 8, 2019. The line on this game has Miami as 7.5 point favorites. The over/under has been set at 218.

The Bulls are covering the spread 43.5% of the time, having gone 10-13-0 ATS. Miami is covering 66.7% of the time, going 14-7-1 against the spread.

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

12/6/2019 Jr SF Foot Expected to be out until at least Dec 23
12/6/2019 Thaddeus Young SF Personal Expected to be out until at least Dec 8
12/5/2019 Chandler Hutchison SF Shoulder Expected to be out until at least Dec 8
11/12/2019 Cristiano Felicio PF Wrist Expected to be out until at least Dec 21

Key Miami Heat Injuries

12/6/2019 KZ Okpala SF Achilles Expected to be out until at least Dec 13
12/6/2019 Justise Winslow SF Back Expected to be out until at least Dec 8
12/5/2019 Goran Dragic PG Groin Expected to be out until at least Dec 8

Player Spotlight

Lauri Markkanen averages 13.9 points per game in 29.7 minutes per contest. He averages 1.7 assists per contest and 6.7 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 37% for the year while his free throw percentage is 81%. Zach Lavine comes into this contest averaging 22.5 points per game while playing 32.3 minutes per night. He pulls down 4.1 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.0 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is at 81%.

Player Spotlight

Bam Adebayo averages 14.3 points per game and he sees the court an average of 32.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 10.4 rebounds per contest and 4.0 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 57% and his free throw percentage is 65%. Jimmy Butler averages 20.5 points per game while playing 34.2 minutes per contest. He grabs 6.3 rebounds per game and has 6.8 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 85%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Bulls allow 109.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 15th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the arc, ranking them 18th and 3rd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 48.2 rebounds a game which ranks 28th, and they give up 24.6 assists per contest which puts them in 19th place in the league. They force 18.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 30th in the league. Chicago averages 106.0 points per contest this season, which ranks them 23rd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -3.2 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a team, which has them ranked 29th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 20th in the league. They average 43.5 rebounds per game and 22.7 assists per contest, which ranks them 22nd and 22nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 13th with 15.7 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Heat surrender 105.5 points per contest, which ranks them 7th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 44% shooting percentage and a 32% average from 3-point range, ranking them 7th and 2nd in those defensive statistics. They rank 14th with 23.7 assists allowed per contest, and 2nd with 41.0 rebounds surrendered per game. The Heat are 22nd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 16.0 per game. Miami is 14th in the league with 111.0 points per game this year. They are 3rd in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 5.5. They shoot 39% from 3-point range, which is good for 3rd in the NBA. They are 17th in the league in rebounding with 45.1 boards per game and 10th in assists per contest with 25.1. The Heat are 1st in turnovers per game with 18.0.

Advanced Statistics

The Bulls are 29th in the league in defensive rating with 107.2, and their offensive rating of 104.1 is ranked 12th. They are 12th in the NBA in pace with 101.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 27th. As a unit they are 28th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 40% of their shot attempts, ranking 10th in the NBA. Chicago is 13th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 16 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 13th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Miami is 1st in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.2 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 23rd in the NBA. The Heat are 11th in the league in defensive rating with 104.5, and their offensive rating of 109.9 is ranked 7th. They are 18th in the NBA in pace with 100.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 55% is 2nd. As a unit they are 2nd in the league in true shooting percentage with 59% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shot attempts, ranking 12th in the NBA.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Chicago +7.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here