Indiana Pacers vs Chicago Bulls Prediction, 12/28/2023 Preview and Pick

Game: Indiana Pacers vs Chicago Bulls

Date: Thursday, December 28, 2023

Location: United Center in Chicago, IL

TV: NBC Sports Chicago

The Chicago Bulls (14-18) will play the Indiana Pacers (15-14) at United Center on Thursday.

The Pacers took the court against the Rockets and took home the win by a score of 123-117 in their last game. Indiana finished with a 52.4% FG percentage (43 out of 82) and converted 19 of their 43 shots from distance. From the charity stripe, the Pacers made 18 of 21 tries for a rate of 85.7%. When discussing grabbing rebounds, they earned 45 with 10 of them being of the offensive sort. They also doled out 28 assists in the game while creating 10 turnovers and having 5 steals. In reference to the defense, Indiana allowed 48.5% from the field on 47 of 97 shooting. Houston earned 19 dimes and had 15 steals in this matchup. Furthermore, Houston snagged 44 rebounds (15 offensive, 29 defensive) and earned 7 blocked shots. Houston finished the game at 81.8% from the free throw line by burying 18 of their 22 tries. They knocked down 5 of 24 tries from beyond the arc. Regarding personal fouls, the Pacers ended up with 22 while the Rockets accumulated 16 personal fouls.

Tyrese Haliburton is someone who was a factor in the matchup. He ended up scoring 33 points on 13 of 21 shooting. He was on the hardwood for 38 minutes played and snagged 6 rebounds. Haliburton finished the contest at 61.9% from the floor and recorded 10 assists.

Get all of our NBA Picks Tonight

Indiana steps onto the court with a mark of 15-14 for the season. They turn the ball over 13.6 times per contest and as a team are committing 22.5 personal fouls every game. As a unit, Indiana is collecting 40.0 boards per contest and has accounted for 885 dimes this year, which has them ranked 2nd in the NBA in terms of passing. The Pacers are connecting on 38.2% on shots from distance (423 of 1,106) and 79.7% from the charity stripe. They have an average of 126.3 points per outing (1st in the league) while shooting 50.6% from the field.

When they are on defense, the Pacers are forcing their opponents into 14.4 turnovers every game and they draw 18.7 fouls. They are currently ranked 6th in basketball in giving up assists to the opposition with 732 surrendered so far this season. The Pacers defense is allowing a FG percentage of 50.9% (1,338 of 2,627) and they relinquish 42.7 boards per contest as a group. They give up 39.1% on three-point shots and they rank 29th in the NBA in opponents PPG (125.5).

When they last stepped on the court, the Bulls went home victorious with a score of 118-113 when they played the Hawks. In regard to attacking the glass, Chicago allowed Atlanta to grab 40 overall (12 on the offensive glass). They finished 28.3% from beyond the arc by going 13 out of 46 and finished the contest at 18 out of 21 from the free throw line (85.7%). The Bulls permitted the Hawks to convert 41 of 89 attempts from the floor which gave them a rate of 46.1% in the matchup. When the final whistle was blown, the Bulls shot 42 out of 92 from the floor which had them sitting at 45.7%. With respect to 3-point attempts, Chicago knocked down 7 of 25 attempts (28.0%). They were able to make 27 of the free throws for a rate of 87.1%. The Hawks earned 21 personal fouls in this game which took the Bulls to the free throw line for a total of 31 attempts. They also coughed up the ball 8 times, while recording 10 steals in the game. The Bulls were able to corral 30 defensive rebounds and 18 offensive rebounds for a total of 48 in this game.

DeMar DeRozan ended up being important for the Bulls for this game. He made 8 of 17 for the matchup giving him a field goal percentage of 47.1%, and added 2 rebounds. DeRozan earned 25 points in his 40 minutes on the hardwood and had 6 dimes in this matchup.

Chicago has a record of 14-18 this year. On the offensive side of the court, the Bulls are hitting on 45.5% from the floor, which ranks them 27th in the league. Chicago has totaled 3,527 pts for the season (110.2 per game) and they grab 42.8 rebounds per game. Their rate of earning assists is at 23.7 times per game (29th in the NBA) and they lose possession by turning the ball over 12.0 times per contest. The Bulls are committing 19.7 fouls per contest and they shoot 79.5% from the free throw line.

The Chicago defense surrenders 36.7% on 3-point attempts (451 of 1,229) and opponents are converting on 78.1% of their shots from the free throw line. They have relinquished 27.4 dimes and 44.7 boards every game, which is 24th and 23rd in the NBA. The Bulls on the defensive end are ranked 11th in the NBA in points allowed per game with 112.4. They have forced 15.1 turnovers on a nightly basis and have allowed teams to shoot 47.1% from the field (16th in basketball).

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

Guy Bruhn's Pick: Take Chicago

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