Chicago Bulls vs. Oklahoma City Thunder - 12/16/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Chicago Bulls vs Oklahoma City Thunder

Date: Monday, December 16, 2019

Location: Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, OK

TV: Fox Sports Oklahoma

Odds/Point Spread: Oklahoma City -4.5

Total/Over-Under: 210

Danilo Gallinari and the Oklahoma City Thunder (11-14, 3rd in the Northwest Division) host the Chicago Bulls (10-18, 4th in the Central Division) at Chesapeake Energy Arena on Monday, December 16, 2019. The odds on this game have Oklahoma City as 4.5 point favorites. The O/U has been set at 210.

The Bulls cover the spread 50.0% of the time, having gone 14-14-0 ATS. Oklahoma City is covering 64.0% of the time, going 16-9-0 against the spread.

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

12/14/2019 Denzel Valentine SG Ankle Game Time Decision
12/14/2019 Chandler Hutchison SF Shoulder Expected to be out until at least Dec 16
12/13/2019 Cristiano Felicio PF Wrist Expected to be out until at least Dec 14
12/10/2019 Jr SF Foot Expected to be out until at least Jan 6

Key Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries

12/14/2019 Kevin Hervey PF Ankle Game Time Decision
12/13/2019 Terrance Ferguson SG Hip Expected to be out until at least Dec 16
12/4/2019 Andre Roberson SG Knee Expected to be out until at least Jan 1
11/25/2019 Hamidou Diallo SG Elbow Expected to be out until at least Jan 4

Player Spotlight

Zach Lavine comes into this game averaging 22.6 points per contest while playing 32.7 minutes per night this year. He grabs 4.5 rebounds per contest and distributes 3.9 assists per game. His FG percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage is 81%. Lauri Markkanen averages 14.3 points per contest in 30.1 minutes per game. He averages 1.8 assists per game and 6.9 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 39% for the season while his free throw percentage is 82%.

Player Spotlight

Danilo Gallinari scores 17.6 points per contest while playing 30.5 minutes per game. He hauls in 5.8 rebounds per contest and has 2.1 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is at 91%. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averages 18.5 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 35.0 minutes per game. He also brings in 5.1 rebounds per game and has 3.0 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 80%.

Useful Team Statistics

Chicago averages 105.5 points per contest, which is 24th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -1.9 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a unit, which has them ranked 29th. From 3-point territory they shoot 35%, which is good for 21st in the NBA. They average 43.6 boards per contest and 23.1 assists per game, which ranks them 22nd and 20th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 11th with 15.6 per game. The Bulls allow 107.3 points per contest, which is 11th in the NBA. They also surrender a 45% shooting percentage and a 32% average from 3-point range, ranking them 15th and 2nd in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 48.1 rebounds a game which ranks 28th, and they allow 24.0 assists per game which puts them in 15th place in the league. They force 18.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 30th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Oklahoma City is 21st in the NBA with 107.5 points per contest this season. They are 10th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 0.24. They shoot 35% from beyond the arc, which is good for 24th in the league. They are 27th in the NBA in rebounding with 42.7 boards per contest and 26th in assists per game with 21.6. The Thunder are 22nd in turnovers per contest with 14.2. The Thunder give up 107.3 points per game, which ranks them 10th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 45% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 16th and 7th in those defensive statistics. They rank 5th with 22.2 dimes allowed per game and 12th with 45.4 boards surrendered per contest. The Thunder are 9th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.3 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Bulls are 29th in the league in defensive rating with 105.7, and their offensive rating of 103.8 is ranked 10th. They are 13th in the NBA in pace with 101.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 27th. As a unit they are 26th 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 12th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 16.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 16th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Oklahoma City is 18th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 17th in the league. The Thunder are 18th in the NBA in offensive rating with 108, and their defensive rating of 107.8 is ranked 13th. In terms of pace they are 25th in the league with 98.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 13th. As a team they are 11th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 23rd in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Oklahoma City -4.5

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