Cavaliers vs Bulls 1/18/2020 NBA Prediction, Pick, Tips

Game: Cleveland Cavaliers vs Chicago Bulls

Date: Saturday, January 18, 2020

Location: United Center in Chicago, IL

TV: NBC Sports Chicago Plus

Odds/Point Spread: Chicago -2

Total/Over-Under: 220

Zach Lavine and the Chicago Bulls (15-27, 3rd in the Central Division) play the Cleveland Cavaliers (12-29, 5th in the Central Division) at United Center on Saturday, January 18, 2020. Chicago opens this matchup as 2 point favorites. The over/under is set at 220.

The Cavaliers cover the spread 42.5% of the time, having gone 17-23-1 ATS. Chicago is covering the spread 48.8% of the time, going 20-21-1 against the spread.

Key Cleveland Cavaliers Injuries

01/17/20 PG Brandon Knight Knee is out Friday vs Memphis
01/17/20 C Ante Zizic Illness is downgraded to out Friday vs Memphis
01/13/20 SG Dylan Windler Leg is out for season
01/06/20 SG Kevin Porter Jr. Knee is out indefinitely

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

11/08/19 SF Otto Porter Jr. Foot is out indefinitely
01/16/20 PF Lauri Markkanen Ankle is probable Friday vs Philadelphia
01/16/20 SG Tomas Satoransky Ankle is probable Friday vs Philadelphia
01/16/20 SF Chandler Hutchison Shoulder is questionable Friday vs Philadelphia
01/09/20 F Wendell Carter Jr. Ankle is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Collin Sexton comes into this game averaging 18.8 points per contest while playing 31.5 minutes per night this year. He grabs 3.1 rebounds per contest and distributes 2.2 assists per game. His FG percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage is 83%. Kevin Love averages 17.0 points per contest in 31.2 minutes per game. He averages 2.9 assists per game and 10.4 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 46% for the season while his free throw percentage is 85%.

Player Spotlight

Zach Lavine scores 24.6 points per contest while playing 33.9 minutes per game. He hauls in 4.6 rebounds per contest and has 4.0 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 83%. Lauri Markkanen averages 15.0 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 30.2 minutes per game. He also brings in 6.6 rebounds per game and has 1.6 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is 82%.

Useful Team Statistics

Cleveland averages 104.9 points per contest, which is 27th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -9.2 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a unit, which has them ranked 20th. From 3-point territory they shoot 34%, which is good for 24th in the NBA. They average 44.2 boards per contest and 21.5 assists per game, which ranks them 20th and 28th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 2nd with 16.3 per game. The Cavaliers allow 114.0 points per contest, which is 23rd in the NBA. They also surrender a 49% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 29th and 27th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 43.8 rebounds a game which ranks 8th, and they allow 25.9 assists per game which puts them in 29th place in the league. They force 12.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 3rd in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Chicago is 25th in the NBA with 106.0 points per contest this season. They are 26th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is -1.79. They shoot 35% from beyond the arc, which is good for 18th in the league. They are 25th in the NBA in rebounding with 43.1 boards per contest and 21st in assists per game with 22.9. The Bulls are 11th in turnovers per contest with 15.2. The Bulls give up 107.7 points per game, which ranks them 10th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 46% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 18th and 7th in those defensive statistics. They rank 18th with 24.5 dimes allowed per game and 25th with 46.8 boards surrendered per contest. The Bulls are 30th in the league in forcing turnovers with 18.0 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Cavaliers are 25th in the NBA in offensive rating with 105.8, and their defensive rating of 115.1 is ranked 29th. In terms of pace they are 22nd in the league with 98.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 22nd. As a team they are 22nd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 19th in the league. Cleveland is 1st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 55%, which is 2nd in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Chicago is 9th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 15.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 13th in the league. The Bulls are 27th in the NBA in offensive rating with 105.6, and their defensive rating of 107.3 is ranked 9th. In terms of pace they are 16th in the league with 99.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 25th. As a team they are 25th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 40% of their shots, ranking 10th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Chicago -2

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