The San Antonio Spurs (15-14) welcome the Chicago Bulls (6-23) to AT&T Center. The Spurs will try to prolong their five-game home winning streak, while the Bulls look to put an end to their nine-game road losing streak. Action gets underway at 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 15, 2018, and can be seen on WGN Channel 9.
Chicago Bulls at San Antonio Spurs Betting Odds
The Spurs will look to maintain momentum after comfortably covering the 3-point spread against the Los Angeles Clippers in their last outing, 125-87. The Bulls, meanwhile, were defeated by the Orlando Magic, 97-91, and failed to cover as 6-point underdogs. The San Antonio game finished 9.5 points under the projected point total of 221.5, while the Chicago game went 24 points under the projected point total of 212.
San Antonio dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a phenomenal effective field goal percentage of 0.639 (above their season average of 0.515) and a turnover percentage of 10.5 (better than their season average of 11.0). Los Angeles was 0.417 and 15.2, respectively, for those same stats. Chicago, meanwhile, had an effective field goal percentage of 0.549 (above their season average of 0.497). San Antonio received a boost from Rudy Gay, who finished with 21 points and six rebounds. Zach LaVine, meanwhile had a good game for Chicago, putting up 23 points and five assists.
In their first matchup this season, LaMarcus Aldridge led the Spurs to a 108-107 win. He produced 20 points and 8 rebounds. San Antonio was unable to cover as a 6.5-point favorite and the two teams combined for 215 points, which was just under the projected point total of 215.5. The Spurs’ offensive rebounding percentage was their largest strength over the Bulls. San Antonio had a rate of 15.6, while Chicago posted a mark of 11.4.
Of the Bulls’ 29 games, 20 have finished under the O/U total. Chicago comes into the contest with records of 6-23 straight up (SU) and 13-15-1 against the spread (ATS).
Contrary to Chicago, Spurs games have a tendency to go over the projected point total (58.6 percent). Further, San Antonio owns records of 15-14 SU and 15-13-1 ATS.
Gay has been impressive recently for San Antonio, averaging 15 points,6.6 rebounds,1.6 steals over the last five games.
San Antonio should have the advantage on the offensive side of the ball. The Spurs currently rank sixth in offensive efficiency, while Chicago ranks 21st in defensive efficiency. Additionally, the Bulls rank 30th in offensive rebounding percentage (16.0 percent), while the Spurs rank fifth in defensive rebounding percentage (78.9 percent).
Chicago Bulls at San Antonio Spurs Pick
NBA Prediction: SU Winner – Spurs, ATS Winner – Spurs, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Bulls are 25 in the league with 15.827586206896552 points off turnovers per game while the Spurs are 28 with 14.448275862068966 points off turnovers per game.
- San Antonio ranks third in blocks allowed per game (4.4) while Chicago ranks 29th (6.5).
- The Spurs rank 16th in three pointers allowed per game (31.4) while the Bulls rank 28th (34.3).
- Chicago ranks 18th in fast break points per game (11.7) while San Antonio ranks last (9.2).
- San Antonio ranks 15 in assists per game (24) while Chicago ranks 21 in assists allowed per game (25.06896551724138).
- The Spurs rank 11th in rebounds allowed per game (44.1) while the Bulls rank 29th (49.0).
- The Spurs rank 22 in second chance points per game (12.655172413793103) while the Bulls rank 29 (9.448275862068966).
- Chicago ranks 25 in points in the paint per game (44.62068965517241) while San Antonio ranks 26 (43.44827586206897).
- Chicago ranks 14th in steals per game (7.9) while San Antonio ranks 27th (6.1).
- Chicago is 2-3 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while San Antonio is 7-1.
- In games where they reach the century mark, the Bulls are 4-11 and the Spurs are 14-9.
- San Antonio is 10-5 ATS at home, while Chicago is 5-8-1 ATS on the road.
- Of the Bulls’ 14 road games, they have 9 unders and 5 overs.
- The Spurs have 8 overs and 7 unders in 15 home games.
Bettings Trends:
- The Spurs are 4-0-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Bulls are 2-2-1.
- In their last five games, San Antonio has 3 unders and 2 overs, while Chicago has 4 unders and 1 over.
- During their last five games, the Spurs have scored an average of 118.4 points per game (7.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 102.2 points per game (9.3 below their season average).
- The Bulls\u2019 average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 17.0, up from 10.9 for the season.
