Chicago Bulls vs. Washington Wizards - 12/18/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Chicago Bulls vs Washington Wizards

Date: Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Location: Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

TV: NBC Sports Washington

Odds/Point Spread: Washington -1

Total/Over-Under: 228.5

Zach Lavine and the Chicago Bulls (10-19, 4th in the Central Division) travel to Capital One Arena on Wednesday where they'll meet the Washington Wizards (8-17, 4th in the Southeast Division). Washington opens this contest as 1 point favorites. The over/under has been set at 228.5.

The Bulls are covering 51.7% of the time, having gone 15-14-0 ATS. Washington is covering 54.2% of the time, going 13-11-1 against the spread.

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

12/16/2019 Chandler Hutchison SF Shoulder Expected to be out until at least Dec 18
12/15/2019 Jr SF Foot Expected to be out until at least Jan 15

Key Washington Wizards Injuries

12/16/2019 Rui Hachimura PF Groin Game Time Decision
12/16/2019 Moe Wagner SF Ankle Expected to be out until at least Dec 18
12/10/2019 C.J SF Wrist Expected to be out until at least Apr 1
12/5/2019 Jordan McRae SG Finger Expected to be out until at least Dec 20
12/4/2019 Thomas Bryant C Foot Expected to be out until at least Jan 5
7/23/2019 John Wall PG Achilles Expected to be out until at least May 1

Player Spotlight

Lauri Markkanen averages 14.2 points per game in 30.3 minutes per contest. He averages 1.7 assists per contest and 6.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 40% for the year while his free throw percentage is 82%. Zach Lavine comes into this contest averaging 23.2 points per game while playing 32.8 minutes per night. He pulls down 4.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is at 82%.

Player Spotlight

Davis Bertans averages 15.4 points per game and he sees the court an average of 29.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.6 rebounds per contest and 1.6 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is 87%. Bradley Beal averages 27.8 points per game while playing 36.8 minutes per contest. He grabs 4.7 rebounds per game and has 7.0 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is at 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Bulls allow 107.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 12th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the arc, ranking them 14th and 3rd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 47.9 rebounds a game which ranks 28th, and they give up 23.9 assists per contest which puts them in 14th place in the league. They force 18.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 30th in the league. Chicago averages 105.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 24th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -1.9 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a team, which has them ranked 29th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 22nd in the league. They average 43.2 rebounds per game and 23.2 assists per contest, which ranks them 22nd and 20th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 12th with 15.6 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Wizards surrender 122.2 points per contest, which ranks them 30th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 50% shooting percentage and a 38% average from 3-point range, ranking them 30th and 27th in those defensive statistics. They rank 29th with 26.5 assists allowed per contest, and 22nd with 46.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Wizards are 23rd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 16.0 per game. Washington is 4th in the league with 118.0 points per game this year. They are 4th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is -4.2. They shoot 38% from 3-point range, which is good for 5th in the NBA. They are 30th in the league in rebounding with 41.1 boards per game and 2nd in assists per contest with 28.1. The Wizards are 22nd in turnovers per game with 14.3.

Advanced Statistics

The Bulls are 28th in the league in defensive rating with 105.8, and their offensive rating of 104 is ranked 9th. They are 13th in the NBA in pace with 101.1 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 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 40% of their shot attempts, ranking 11th 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 16.3 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 16th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Washington is 23rd in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 57%, which is 1st in the league. The Wizards are 4th in the NBA in offensive rating with 113.3, and their defensive rating of 117.4 is ranked 30th. In terms of pace they are 2nd in the league with 104.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 5th. As a team they are 5th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shots, ranking 17th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Chicago +1

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