Chicago Bulls vs New Orleans Pelicans NBA Point Spread Picks 1/8/2020

Game: Chicago Bulls vs New Orleans Pelicans

Date: Wednesday, January 8, 2020

Location: Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, LA

TV: Fox Sports New Orleans

Odds/Point Spread: New Orleans -1.5

Total/Over-Under: 220

Smoothie King Center is the site where Brandon Ingram and the New Orleans Pelicans (12-25, 5th in the Southwest Division) will take on the Chicago Bulls (13-24, 3rd in the Central Division) on Wednesday. The odds on this matchup have New Orleans as 1.5 point favorites. The over/under has been set at 220.

The Bulls cover 50.0% of the time, having gone 18-18-1 ATS. New Orleans is covering 45.7% of the time, going 16-19-2 against the spread.

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

11/08/19 SF Otto Porter Jr. Foot is out indefinitely
01/06/20 F Wendell Carter Jr. Ankle left last game, is questionable Wednesday vs New Orleans

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

10/18/19 PF Zion Williamson Knee is out indefinitely
01/06/20 PG Jrue Holiday Elbow is questionable Wednesday vs Chicago

Player Spotlight

Wendell Carter averages 11.7 points per game in 30.0 minutes per contest. He averages 1.2 assists per contest and 9.9 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 54% for the year while his free throw percentage is 74%. Zach Lavine comes into this contest averaging 23.6 points per game while playing 33.7 minutes per night. He pulls down 4.5 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.0 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage is at 81%.

Player Spotlight

Jrue Holiday averages 19.6 points per game and he sees the court an average of 35.6 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.9 rebounds per contest and 6.5 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 71%. Brandon Ingram averages 25.2 points per game while playing 34.2 minutes per contest. He grabs 6.8 rebounds per game and has 3.8 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is at 87%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Bulls allow 107.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 9th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 17th and 5th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 47.2 rebounds a game which ranks 27th, and they give up 24.1 assists per contest which puts them in 18th place in the league. They force 18.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 30th in the league. Chicago averages 105.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 25th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -1.5 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a team, which has them ranked 30th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 17th in the league. They average 43.8 rebounds per game and 23.2 assists per contest, which ranks them 21st and 20th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 11th with 15.3 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Pelicans surrender 116.9 points per contest, which ranks them 28th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 23rd and 24th in those defensive statistics. They rank 20th with 24.5 assists allowed per contest, and 20th with 46.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Pelicans are 18th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.1 per game. New Orleans is 8th in the league with 112.8 points per game this year. They are 21st in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is -4.1. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 7th in the NBA. They are 15th in the league in rebounding with 45.5 boards per game and 10th in assists per contest with 24.9. The Pelicans are 12th in turnovers per game with 15.3.

Advanced Statistics

The Bulls are 28th in the league in defensive rating with 106.4, and their offensive rating of 104.9 is ranked 7th. They are 15th in the NBA in pace with 100.2 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 39% of their shot attempts, ranking 10th in the NBA. Chicago is 10th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 16.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 14th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

New Orleans is 15th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 8th in the NBA. The Pelicans are 19th in the league in defensive rating with 112.7, and their offensive rating of 108.7 is ranked 26th. They are 5th in the NBA in pace with 102.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 15th. As a unit they are 19th in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 42% of their shot attempts, ranking 5th in the NBA.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Chicago +1.5

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