The Chicago Bulls (19-30) will be at Bankers Life Fieldhouse to take on the Indiana Pacers (30-17) in a Central Division matchup. Action gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 29, 2020, and can be seen on NBC Sports Chicago.
Chicago Bulls vs. Indiana Pacers Betting Odds
Neither team was able to cover in their last matchup. The Bulls (2-point favorites) defeated the San Antonio Spurs, 110-109, while the Pacers (2-point underdogs) were defeated by the Portland Trail Blazers, 139-129. Both games finished over their projected point totals. The Chicago game went 5.5 points over the projected point total of 213.5, while the Indiana game finished 48 points over the projected point total of 220.
Chicago played a nearly flawless game. They had a fantastically low turnover percentage of 8.3 (better than their season average of 12.8) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 28.6 (above their season average of 21.7). For those same stats, San Antonio was 10.2 and 25.0, respectively. Indiana, on the other hand, had a turnover percentage of 5.5 (better than their season average of 11.2). Domantas Sabonis played well for Indiana, accumulating 27 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists on his way to his first triple-double of the year. Meanwhile, Zach LaVine played a pivotal role for Chicago with 23 points and six rebounds.
The Pacers have won both matchups against the Bulls this year. In their most recent game, the two teams combined for 221 points, which was over the projected point total of 213. Indiana won 116-105, covering as a 2-point underdog. The Pacers’ offensive rebounding percentage was their largest strength over the Bulls. Indiana had a rate of 21.1, while Chicago posted a mark of 13.6. LaVine was the top overall scorer in the game with 43 points.
Just over half of the Bulls’ games have finished over the projected point total. Chicago heads into the contest with records of 19-30 straight up (SU) and 23-26 against the spread (ATS).
Of the Pacers’ 47 games, 24 have finished over the total. Additionally, Indiana owns records of 30-17 SU and 25-20-2 ATS.
Ball security could play an integral role in this contest. Indiana commits the third-fewest miscues in the NBA (turnover percentage of 12.1 percent), while the gambling defense of Chicago forces the most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 17.0 percent).
Chicago Bulls at Indiana Pacers Betting Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Pacers, ATS Winner – Pacers, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Bulls allow the fourth-fewest fast break points per game (11.9) while the Pacers rank fifth (12.0).
- Chicago ranks first in steals per game (10.0) while Indiana ranks 23rd (7.1).
- The Pacers rank 10th in blocks allowed per game (4.6) while the Bulls rank 28th (6.2).
- Chicago ranks first in points off turnovers per game (21.1) while Indiana ranks 18th (16.7).
- Chicago averages 48.6 points in the paint per game, which ranks 11th in the NBA. Indiana ranks 17th in points allowed in the paint per game (48.1).
- The Bulls rank ninth in three pointers attempted per game (35.2) while the Pacers rank last (27.4).
- The Bulls rank 18th in second chance points per game (12.7) while the Pacers rank 28th (11.8).
- Neither of these teams are great at rebounding the ball. Indiana is 25th in the NBA with 42.7 rebounds per game while Chicago is 26th with 42.7 rebounds per game.
- Indiana ranks fourth in assists per game (26.2) while Chicago ranks 23rd (22.9).
- Chicago is 5-3 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while Indiana is 9-1.
- When reaching 100 points, the Bulls are 19-16 and the Pacers are 30-10.
- Chicago is 12-11 ATS on the road, while Indiana is 11-9-2 ATS at home.
- The total has gone over in 11 of the Bulls’ 23 road games, while 11 of the Pacers’ 22 home games have gone over.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Chicago and Indiana are both 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
- During their last five games, the Bulls have scored an average of 104.8 points per game (0.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 106.8 points per game (0.9 below their season average).
- The Pacers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 0.8, down from 2.9 for the season.
