Indiana Pacers vs. Chicago Bulls Preview
Where: United Center, Chicago
When: Monday, December 26, 2016, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Indiana Pacers (TBA) vs. Chicago Bulls (TBA) – view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast: NBATV
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Betting on the Indiana Pacers (TBA)
With Christmas over, the Pacers will get back to serious business, as they try to avoid a three-game losing skid, when they pay the Bulls a visit later tonight.
Indiana last saw action on the court on Thursday, suffering a 109-102 setback at the hands of the Boston Celtics at home. Despite the loss, Jeff Teague could’ve slept good that night just thinking of the way he stuffed the stat sheet, scoring 31 points and adding eight assists and five boards. Paul George, meanwhile, had 19 points on 5-of-16 shooting from the field.
Teague has become the best offensive player for the Pacers of late, as he has averaged 22.2 points and 9.6 assists in his past five games. He didn’t have much of a problem finding the basket in the last meeting this season with Chicago, putting up 21 points (9-14) to go with six assists in a 111-94 win back in November 5.
Teague and George could come up with respective brilliant performances in the rematch with the Bulls, judging from the way Chicago has become lackluster on defense lately. The Bulls have allowed their last three opponents score 109.7 points on 51.0 percent shooting from the floor.
Indiana is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games against Chicago.
Betting on the Chicago Bulls (TBA)
Christmas Day didn’t go to well for the Bulls, who celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ by losing to the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday, 119-100.
The Bulls have been shooting badly the last three games, wherein they shot a terrible 41.5% from the field—second worst among all teams during the same period. That said, the Bulls have potent scorers and playmakers who can explode anytime and carry the team out of its current hole. Take for example Jimmy Butler, who scored 19 points against the Spurs. Butler has averaged 18.2 points in his last five games, though on an underwhelming 43% shooting. Butler had 16 points back in November against Indiana.
Dwyane Wade, meanwhile, is one guy, who must be aching to play the Pacers again. Wade looked nothing like a many-time All-Star in the previous matchup with Indiana, as he scored just four points on a dismal 1-for-9 from the field. He’s Dwyane Wade so it’s unlikely that he’ll shoot like his teammate Rajon Rondo again later tonight.
Speaking of Rondo, he’ll get some help in the backcourt with Michael Carter-Williams expected to return after dealing with knee and wrist injuries. Williams hasn’t played since late October. Williams scored seven points and added five assists in the Bulls’ 118-101 home win over Indiana back in October 29.
Writer’s Prediction
Chicago wins, 102-100.
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