Boston Celtics vs. Chicago Bulls - 1/4/20 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Boston Celtics vs Chicago Bulls

Date: Saturday, January 4, 2020

Location: United Center in Chicago, IL

TV: NBC Sports Chicago

Odds/Point Spread: Boston -2.5

Total/Over-Under: 222

United Center is the venue where Zach Lavine and the Chicago Bulls (13-22, 3rd in the Central Division) will take on the Boston Celtics (23-8, 1st in the Atlantic Division) on Saturday. Chicago opens this contest as 2.5 point dogs. The total is set at 222.

The Celtics are covering 65.5% of the time, having gone 19-10-2 ATS. Chicago is covering 51.4% of the time, going 18-17-0 against the spread.

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

01/03/20 C Robert Williams III Hip is out indefinitely
01/02/20 SG Jaylen Brown Illness is upgraded to probable Friday vs Atlanta
01/02/20 PG Kemba Walker Illness is questionable Friday vs Atlanta

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

11/08/19 SF Otto Porter Jr. Foot is out indefinitely
01/02/20 SF Chandler Hutchison Shoulder is questionable Saturday vs Boston

Player Spotlight

Jayson Tatum averages 21.3 points per game in 34.2 minutes per contest. He averages 2.8 assists per contest and 7.0 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 42% for the year while his free throw percentage is 84%. Marcus Smart comes into this contest averaging 11.3 points per game while playing 31.3 minutes per night. He pulls down 3.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.5 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 37% while his free throw percentage is at 82%.

Player Spotlight

Lauri Markkanen averages 15.1 points per game and he sees the court an average of 30.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 6.7 rebounds per contest and 1.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is 82%. Zach Lavine averages 23.4 points per game while playing 33.4 minutes per contest. He grabs 4.6 rebounds per game and has 3.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Celtics allow 103.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 1st in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 5th and 11th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.4 rebounds a game which ranks 9th, and they give up 22.8 assists per contest which puts them in 6th place in the league. They force 16.0 turnovers per game which ranks them 24th in the league. Boston averages 111.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 13th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 7.9 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 15th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 14th in the league. They average 45.8 rebounds per game and 23.3 assists per contest, which ranks them 12th and 19th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 25th with 13.7 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Bulls surrender 106.8 points per contest, which ranks them 10th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 45% shooting percentage and a 33% average from 3-point range, ranking them 13th and 4th in those defensive statistics. They rank 17th with 24.1 assists allowed per contest, and 27th with 47.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Bulls are 30th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 18.3 per game. Chicago is 24th in the league with 105.7 points per game this year. They are 30th in the league in shooting at 43%, while their average scoring margin is -1.1. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 16th in the NBA. They are 21st in the league in rebounding with 43.9 boards per game and 21st in assists per contest with 23.1. The Bulls are 10th in turnovers per game with 15.5.

Advanced Statistics

The Celtics are 4th in the NBA in offensive rating with 112.3, and their defensive rating of 104.3 is ranked 3rd. In terms of pace they are 21st in the league with 98.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 10th. As a team they are 12th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shots, ranking 13th in the league. Boston is 24th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 23rd in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Chicago is 9th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 16.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 15th in the NBA. The Bulls are 28th in the league in defensive rating with 105.6, and their offensive rating of 104.5 is ranked 7th. They are 12th in the NBA in pace with 100.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 26th. As a unit they are 27th in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 40% of their shot attempts, ranking 9th in the NBA.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Boston -2.5

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