Another intriguing matchup in the NBA is set to sweep you off your feet, as the Chicago Bulls and the Indiana Pacers go head-to-head one more time this season. The Bulls enter this contest having lost their last four games, while the Pacers will be looking to notch their fourth-consecutive home victory. Who will come out on top in this one?
Let’s now take a better look below at this Eastern Conference matchup. Meanwhile, you can check out our preview of the Houston Rockets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers game as well.
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Chicago Bulls vs. Indiana Pacers Betting Preview
Where: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
[sc:NBA250 ]Thanks to a home loss to Atlanta last night, the Chicago Bulls’ losing streak has now reached four-straight games. As a result, they are now below the .500 mark for the first time this season and are 2.5 games behind the Pistons for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls will now try to avoid falling any further when they go on the road for an impending date with the Indiana Pacers.
Key to their success will greatly depend on the performances of their two leading scorers in Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose. Both struggled with their stroke in the game versus Atlanta, shooting just 13-of-41 from the field combined.
Butler, in particular, could be in for a bounce-back game, as he went off for 28 points, four rebounds and four dimes in their last meeting with the Pacers on December 30. He’s also played relatively well on the road this season, posting 21.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.4 dimes across 57 games.
Pau Gasol, meanwhile, cannot be left unmentioned. He’s a huge part of this team and has proven that he still has a lot of fuel left in the tank. Gasol has notched a total of 40 double-doubles this season and marches into this match coming off a 19-point, 11-rebound and five-assist effort against the Hawks.
The Bulls, though, will really have to work for their points in this game, as they’ll be going up against one of the best defensive teams in the NBA. Indiana is allowing just 98.2 points at home, the seventh-fewest in the league today.
Chicago is 1-9 SU and 3-7 ATS in its previous 10 road games.
Following a surprising loss to Brooklyn, the Indiana Pacers wasted no time in getting back on track with a thrilling 104-101 win over the visiting Rockets on Sunday. Leading the charge in that game was none other than Paul George, who finished with a team-high 25 points along with 11 boards. Not to be outdone was Monta Ellis, as he made his presence felt by going 10-of-18 from the field for 23 points.
Now, Indiana will hope to get the same result when the Chicago Bulls come to Bankers Life Fieldhouse tonight. A win here for Indiana will allow them to strength their hold of the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference.
That said, look for George and Ellis to continue racking up the points in this one. Both are the Pacers’ best scorers this season, averaging 23.4 and 14.2 points per game respectively. Ellis, in particular, holds a solid track record against the Bulls as he’s putting up 21.2 points on 44.1 percent shooting through 20 career games.
George Hill, on the other hand, should also be able to give the Bulls another reason to worry about. The former Spurs point guard tallied 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting in the previous meeting with Chicago. And overall this season, Hill is contributing 12.2 points, 4.1 boards and 3.6 dimes.
Indiana is 6-4 SU and 4-6 ATS in its last 10 games at home.
