Chicago Bulls at Portland Trail Blazers Betting Prediction 01/09/19

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The Portland Trail Blazers (24-17) will be 9.5-point favorites at home in Moda Center at the Rose Quarter when they take on the Chicago Bulls (10-30). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 206 points and it will air on WGN Channel 9 at 10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 9, 2019.

Chicago Bulls vs. Portland Trail Blazers ATS Odds

Neither team was able to cover in their last contest. The Trail Blazers (11.5-point favorites) beat the New York Knicks, 111-101, while the Bulls (2-point underdogs) were defeated by the Brooklyn Nets, 117-100. The Portland game went 10.5 points under the projected point total of 222.5, while the Chicago game finished 9.5 points over the projected point total of 207.5.

Portland’s 0.535 effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over New York, who had a rate of 0.444. The Trail Blazers’ mark was above their season average of 0.515, while the Knicks’ was below the 0.517 mark opponents have averaged against Portland this season. Chicago, meanwhile, had an offensive rebounding percentage of 25.6 (above their season average of 17.0). Portland’s Jake Layman had a good outing, putting up 10 points and 11 rebounds. Chicago, meanwhile, received a boost from Zach LaVine, who had 27 points.

The Trail Blazers dominated this series last year, taking both games. In the last matchup, Portland won 124-108. Portland did a great job of making free throws (17-20; 85.0 percent). Chicago, on the other hand, had a much better turnover percentage (5.2 vs. 15.8). This is the first time these teams will go head-to-head this year.

Of the Bulls’ 40 games, 26 have finished under the O/U total. Chicago heads into the contest with records of 10-30 straight up (SU) and 19-20-1 against the spread (ATS).

Coinciding with Chicago, games featuring the Trail Blazers also tend to go under the O/U total (58.5 percent). Moreover, Portland is 24-17 SU and 20-21 ATS.

The Bulls’ Kris Dunn has been playing at a high level over his last five games, averaging 13 points,8.8 assists,1.4 steals per game. Meanwhile, Jusuf Nurkic has averaged 21 points,12.6 rebounds,4.2 assists,2.0 steals,1.6 blocks during that same time frame for the Trail Blazers.

Portland should have an edge on the offensive glass in this showdown. The Trail Blazers rank sixth in offensive rebounding percentage (25.2 percent), while Chicago ranks 23rd in defensive rebounding percentage (76.1 percent). Furthermore, the Bulls, who rank 28th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.172), will go head-to-head against the Trail Blazers, who rank fifth in opponents’ FTA rate (0.180).

Chicago Bulls at Portland Trail Blazers ATS Pick

Free Pick: SU Winner – Trail Blazers, ATS Winner – Bulls, O/U – Under

Betting Notes:

  • The Trail Blazers rank 26th in assists per game (21.6) while the Bulls rank 27th (21.6).
  • Portland ranks second in rebounds per game (48.5) while Chicago ranks 27th (41.5).
  • The Trail Blazers rank fourth in points off turnovers allowed per game (15.0) while the Bulls rank 17th (17.3).
  • Chicago ranks 14th in fast break points allowed per game (13.1) while Portland ranks 25th (15.0).
  • Portland averages 4.8 blocks per game, which ranks 20th in the league. Chicago ranks 26th in blocks allowed per game (5.8).
  • The Trail Blazers rank sixth in second chance points per game (14.6) while the Bulls rank 29th (9.1).
  • The Trail Blazers rank 18th in three pointers attempted per game (30.5) while the Bulls rank 26th (26.7).
  • Chicago ranks 14th in steals per game (7.9) while Portland ranks 27th (6.6).
  • When holding opponents below 100 points, Chicago is 6-5 and Portland is 7-1.
  • The Trail Blazers are 23-12 when they score above 100 points, while the Bulls are 6-13.
  • Chicago is 9-9-1 ATS on the road, while Portland is 13-10 ATS at home.
  • The total has gone under in 15 of the Trail Blazers’ 23 home games, while 12 of the Bulls’ 19 road games have gone under.

Bettings Trends:

  • In their last five games, Chicago and Portland are both 3-2 ATS.
  • The Bulls have 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games, while the Trail Blazers have 5 unders
  • During their last five games, the Bulls have scored an average of 98.0 points per game (2.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 107.0 points per game (2.8 below their season average).
  • The Trail Blazers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 11.2, up from 1.2 for the season.