The Chicago Bulls (12-40), 6.5-point underdogs, will travel to the Spectrum Center to challenge the Charlotte Hornets (25-26). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 217.5 points and it will air on WGN Channel 9 at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 2, 2019.
Chicago Bulls vs. Charlotte Hornets ATS Odds
Both teams covered in their last outing. The Hornets (7.5-point favorites) defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 100-92, while the Bulls (10.5-point underdog) beat the Miami Heat 105-89. The Charlotte game finished 22.5 points under the projected point total of 214.5, while the Chicago game went 12 points under the projected point total of 206.
Chicago dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a free throw rate of 0.218 (above their season average of 0.176) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.564 (above their season average of 0.498). Miami was 0.101 and 0.449, respectively, for those same stats. Charlotte, on the other hand, was effective at getting and making free throws. The Hornets made 24 of their 28 free throws (85.7 percent), while the Grizzlies were 13-17 (76.5 percent). Kemba Walker fueled Charlotte with 23 points. Chicago, meanwhile, was lifted by Lauri Markkanen, who contributed 14 points and 13 rebounds.
The Hornets evened the season series at one with a 135-106 blowout win in their most recent game. In the victory, Walker led all scorers with 30 points. The Hornets’ 29.7 offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest strength over the Bulls, who had a mark of 17.0. The two teams combined to score 241 points, which was well over the projected point total of 223, and Charlotte covered as an 11-point favorite.
Of the Bulls’ 52 games, 32 have finished under the total. Chicago holds records of 12-40 straight up (SU) and 23-27-2 against the spread (ATS).
Unlike Chicago, a little over half of Hornets games have finished over the O/U total. Further, Charlotte is 25-26 SU and 25-25 ATS.
There’s a decent chance that Chicago struggles to create turnovers. Charlotte ranks first in the league at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 12.0 percent), while Chicago forces the 15th-most turnovers (13.4 percent). Moreover, the Bulls rank 26th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.177), while the Hornets rank fourth in opponents’ FTA rate (0.180).
Bulls at Hornets Odds Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Hornets, ATS Winner – Bulls, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Charlotte ranks second in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.4) while Chicago ranks 16th (17.0).
- The Hornets average 5.1 blocks per game, which ranks 17th in the league. The Bulls rank 26th in blocks allowed per game (5.6).
- Charlotte ranks 19th in rebounds per game (44.5) while Chicago ranks 27th in rebounds allowed per game (47.4).
- The Hornets rank 13th in three pointers attempted per game (33.0) while the Bulls rank 26th (26.6).
- The Hornets rank 20th in assists per game (23.5) while the Bulls rank 27th (21.6).
- Charlotte ranks 20th in second chance points per game (13.3) while Chicago ranks last (9.8).
- When allowing less than 100 points, Charlotte is 10-0 and Chicago is 8-5.
- When reaching 100 points, the Bulls are 8-23 and the Hornets are 24-19.
- Chicago is 13-12-2 ATS on the road, while Charlotte is 14-11 ATS at home.
- The total has gone under in 13 of the Hornets’ 25 home games, while 15 of the Bulls’ 27 road games have gone under.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Chicago and Charlotte are both 2-3 ATS.
- The Bulls have 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games, while the Hornets have 3 unders and 2 overs
- The Bulls’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 3.4, down from 9.4 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Hornets have scored an average of 102.4 points per game (8.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 105.0 points per game (6.0 below their season average).
