The Chicago Bulls (13-21) will be 3.5-point underdogs at home in the United Center when they challenge the Utah Jazz (21-12). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 210.5 points and it starts at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 2, 2020.
Utah Jazz vs. Chicago Bulls Betting Odds
The last time the Jazz played, they comfortably covered the 9.5-point spread against the Detroit Pistons, 104-81. The Bulls, meanwhile, were thoroughly outplayed by the Milwaukee Bucks, 123-102, and failed to cover as 8.5-point underdogs. The Utah game went 33 points under the projected point total of 218, while the Chicago game went 5.5 points over the projected point total of 219.5.
Utah played a nearly perfect game. They had an effective field goal percentage of 0.530 (below their season average of 0.538) and a turnover percentage of 13.2 (better than their season average of 14.1). Detroit was 0.405 and 16.0, respectively, for those same stats. Chicago, on the other hand, had a much better turnover percentage (8.3 vs. 14.5). Coby White played well for Chicago with 18 points. Rudy Gobert played well for Utah, putting up 13 points and 19 rebounds.
The Jazz dominated this series last year, taking both games. In the most recent game, Utah won 114-83. Utah’s effective field goal percentage was its largest advantage over Chicago. The Jazz had a rate of 0.542 while the Bulls posted a mark of 0.370. This is the first time these teams will battle this year.
Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when predicting totals of Jazz games, with 17 unders compared to 16 overs. Utah has a solid 21-12 straight up (SU) record, but they struggle covering the spread (14-17-2 against the spread (ATS)).
Bulls games also have finished under the projected point total 52.9 percent of the time. Moreover, Chicago owns records of 13-21 SU and 18-16 ATS.
The Jazz’s Joe Ingles has been playing at a high level over his last five games, averaging 19 points,5.2 assists per game. Meanwhile, Tomas Satoransky has averaged 15 points,7.0 rebounds,5.2 assists,2.0 steals during that same time frame for the Bulls.
Chicago might struggle to put up points as they battle against one of the NBA’s best defenses. Utah ranks ninth in defensive efficiency, while the Bulls rank 27th in offensive efficiency. Also, the Jazz rank 28th in turnover percentage (15.2 percent), while the Bulls rank first in opponents’ turnover percentage (17.2 percent).
Jazz at Bulls Betting Pick
NBA Tip: SU Winner – Bulls, ATS Winner – Bulls, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Jazz rank fifth in three pointers allowed per game (31.5) while the Bulls rank ninth (32.7).
- Chicago ranks first in steals per game (9.9) while Utah ranks 28th (6.0).
- The Bulls rank 10th in fast break points per game (14.5) while the Jazz rank 26th (10.6).
- Utah ranks first in assists allowed per game (20.4) while Chicago ranks 17th (24.1).
- Utah ranks 15th in blocks allowed per game (5.0) while Chicago ranks 26th (6.6).
- The Bulls rank first in points off turnovers per game (21.4) while the Jazz rank 27th (15.0).
- The Bulls rank 13th in second chance points per game (13.3) while the Jazz rank 27th (10.5).
- Utah ranks seventh in rebounds allowed per game (43.8) while Chicago ranks 27th (47.5).
- Chicago is 4-2 when they allow less than 100 points, while Utah is 7-1.
- The Bulls are 13-11 when they score above 100 points, while the Jazz are 20-7.
- Chicago is 9-9 ATS at home, while Utah is 7-9-1 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone under in 10 of the Jazz’s 17 road games, while 10 of the Bulls’ 18 home games have gone under.
Bettings Trends:
- The Jazz are 4-0-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Bulls are 3-2.
- In their last five games, Utah has 3 overs and 2 unders, while Chicago has 3 unders and 2 overs.
- During their last five games, the Jazz have scored an average of 112.6 points per game (4.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 103.4 points per game (2.4 below their season average).
- The Bulls have outscored opponents by an average of 3.8 points in their last five games. On the season, Chicago has lost by an average of 1.1 points.
