Cleveland Cavaliers vs Chicago Bulls Prediction, 12/31/2022 Preview and Pick

Game: Cleveland Cavaliers vs Chicago Bulls

Date: Saturday, December 31, 2022

Location: United Center in Chicago, IL

TV: NBC Sports Chicago

The Chicago Bulls will try to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers at United Center on Saturday.

The Cavaliers took the court against the Pacers and went home with a loss by a final score of 135-126 in their last contest. Cleveland wrapped up the game having earned a 52.1% FG percentage (50 out of 96) and converted 12 out of their 28 shots from 3-point land. From the free throw line, the Cavaliers converted 14 of 20 tries for a rate of 70.0%. In reference to rebounding, they collected a total of 44 with 17 of them being on the offensive end. They also dished out 29 dimes for this game while forcing 8 turnovers and getting 7 steals. When it comes to defense, Cleveland allowed their opponent to shoot 56.5% from the floor on 48 of 85 shooting. Indiana recorded 28 dimes and had 6 steals for this game. On top of that, Indiana snagged 32 rebounds (4 offensive, 28 defensive) and added 4 blocks. Indiana walked away from this one shooting 95.2% when shooting free throws by making 20 of their 21 attempts. They also made 19 out of their 31 shots from distance. In reference to fouls, the Cavaliers ended up with 17 while the Pacers accounted for 18 fouls.

Donovan Mitchell is a guy who was a major contributor in this contest. Mitchell finished the game at 40.0% from the floor and earned 6 assists. He played for 37 mins and totaled 4 boards. He notched 28 points on 10 of 25 shooting.

Get all of our NBA Picks Today

Cleveland comes into this game with a win-loss record of 22-13 for the year. They turn it over 14.6 times per game and as a squad are committing 19.0 personal fouls per game. As a unit, Cleveland is grabbing 42.4 rebounds per game and has accounted for 820 assists for the season, which is 24th in the league in terms of passing the rock. The Cavaliers are shooting 36.6% on shots from 3-point land (403 of 1,100) and 79.5% from the free throw line. They average 111.1 points per outing (26th in the league) while hitting 48.0% from the field.

On the defensive end, the Cavaliers have forced 15.1 turnovers per contest while drawing 21.6 fouls. They give up 35.9% on 3-pointers and they rank 1st in basketball in points per game allowed (105.5). The Cavaliers defensively are allowing a field goal percentage of 45.8% (1,349 of 2,944) and they surrender 40.0 boards per game as a team. They are ranked 4th in basketball in allowing assists to their opponents with 796 relinquished for the campaign.

In their last game, the Bulls went home victorious with a score of 119-113 against the Bucks. The Bulls were able to corral 45 defensive rebounds and 7 offensive boards totaling 52 in the matchup. They turned it over 13 times, while recording 5 steals in this contest. The Bucks had 21 fouls in the game which got the Bulls to the charity stripe for a total of 30 shots. They were able to make 26 of those for a clip of 86.7%. With regard to shots from beyond the arc, Chicago knocked down 9 out of 23 tries (39.1%). In all, the Bulls ended up going 42 for 92 from the field which gave them a percentage of 45.7%. The Bulls allowed the Bucks to convert 41 of 110 attempts from the field which gave them a shooting percentage of 37.3% for the matchup. They shot 20.5% from downtown by going 9 of 44 and finished the game at 22 of 32 from the free throw line (68.8%). Regarding team rebounding, Chicago allowed Milwaukee to collect 61 overall (22 offensive).

DeMar DeRozan ended up being a major contributor for the Bulls in the game. He converted 15 out of 25 in the game giving him a field goal percentage of 60.0%, and accumulated 10 rebounds. DeRozan scored 42 points in his 44 mins on the hardwood and earned 5 assists for this contest.

Chicago has a mark of 15-19 so far this season. On the offensive side of the ball, the Bulls are connecting on 48.3% from the field, which is ranked 6th in the league. Chicago has totaled 3,861 points so far this year (113.6 per contest) and they average 42.3 boards per contest. They are assisting teammates 24.9 times per contest (12th in the NBA) and they turn it over 14.1 times per game. The Bulls are responsible for committing 19.9 fouls every game while shooting 81.8% from the free throw line.

The Chicago defense concedes 37.4% on 3-pointers (461 of 1,234) and their opponents are making 77.5% of their foul shots. They have relinquished 26.4 assists and 43.9 boards per game, which ranks them 26th and 19th in basketball. The Bulls on the defensive end are ranked 18th in basketball in points given up per game with 115.0. They are able to force 15.4 TO's per game and allow teams to shoot 47.7% from the floor (22nd in basketball).

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

Tony Sink's Pick: Take Cleveland

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