The Chicago Bulls (14-27) meet the Washington Wizards (13-26) at the United Center. The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 15, 2020, and will air on NBC Sports Chicago.
Chicago opened as a 4.5-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 227 points.
Washington Wizards at Chicago Bulls Betting Prediction
The Wizards were not able to cover as 6.5-point underdogs in their 127-116 loss to the Utah Jazz in their last outing. The game’s combined points (243) were well over the O/U total of 225.5. Utah made good use of their 25 trips to the free throw line, making 21 of them (84.0 percent). Washington, meanwhile, was 15-17 (88.2 percent). Ian Mahinmi had a good performance for Washington, finishing with 15 points, seven assists and six rebounds.
The last time the Bulls were in action, they lost to the Boston Celtics, 113-101. They failed to cover as 9.5-point underdogs. The combined points for the game (214) hit the projected point total. Boston’s 24.4 offensive rebounding percentage was their largest advantage over Chicago, who had a rate of 17.5. The Celtics’ mark was above their season average of 24.0, while the Bulls’ was below the 22.7 mark opponents have averaged against Boston this season. With 30 points on 9-for-18 shooting, Zach LaVine was the top scorer from either team.
This will be the second game of the season between these two squads. Lauri Markkanen scored a game-high 31 points in the first matchup, in which the Bulls defeated the Wizards 110-109, covering as 1-point underdogs. He also recorded nine rebounds. The game finished with a total of 219 points, which was 10.5 points below the projected point total of 229.5 points. Chicago’s 0.459 effective field goal percentage was its largest strength over Washington, who had a mark of 0.432.
Washington holds records of 13-26 straight up (SU) and 20-19 against the spread (ATS). Of the Wizards’ 39 games, 22 have finished over the projected point total.
Meanwhile, Chicago is 14-27 SU and 19-22 ATS. Of the Bulls’ 41 games, 20 have finished over the projected point total.
This has potential to be an error-filled game for the offense of Chicago. Chicago ranks 20th in the NBA in ball protection (turnover percentage of 14.1 percent), while the pesky defense of Washington forces the eighth-most turnovers in the NBA (14.3 percent).
Washington Wizards at Chicago Bulls Pick
Prediction: ATS Winner – Bulls, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
Washington is 11-9 ATS on the road with 12 overs and 8 unders.
At home, Chicago is 9-12 ATS with 11 unders and 10 overs.
When allowing less than 100 points, Washington is 3-0 and Chicago is 5-2.
In games where they reach 100 points, the Wizards are 11-25 and the Bulls are 14-16.
Chicago ranks 10th in second chance points allowed per game (12.5) while Washington ranks 28th (14.6).
The Bulls rank first in steals per game (9.9) while the Wizards rank 16th (7.7).
Washington ranks sixth in points off turnovers per game (18.2) while Chicago ranks 19th in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.5).
The Bulls rank 15th in points allowed in the paint per game (48.3) while the Wizards rank 27th (52.1).
Washington averages 25.8 assists per game, which ranks eighth in the NBA. Chicago ranks 19th in assists allowed per game (24.4).
The Wizards rank 22nd in blocks allowed per game (5.5) while the Bulls rank 29th (6.4).
Chicago ranks 23rd in rebounds per game (43.2) while Washington ranks 27th (42.5).
The Bulls rank ninth in three pointers attempted per game (35.1) while the Wizards rank 12th in three pointers allowed per game (32.9).
Chicago averages 15.3 fast break points per game, which ranks sixth in the NBA. Washington ranks ninth in fast break points allowed per game (12.4).
Over its last five contests, Washington is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Chicago is 1-4 ATS with 3 overs, 1 under and 1 push over its last five games.
The Wizards’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 3.2, down from 5.0 for the season.
During their last five games, the Bulls have scored an average of 106.4 points per game (0.7 above their season average) and allowed an average of 113.8 points per game (6.0 above their season average).
